Doug Pensinger/Getty Images

Carl Pavano, 3-3 since joining the Twins, gets the series going for Minnesota in Kansas City.

By Fernando Vina, ESPN

The Tigers and Twins are involved in the only remaining pennant race. Detroit leads the AL Central by three games and spends the weekend in Chicago. The chasing Twins, meanwhile, go visit the Royals.

Twins at Royals

The Twins' pitching staff lines up pretty well against a Royals team that is hot right now. The Royals have no pressure on them because all they are doing is trying to play spoiler.

Twins manager Ron Gardenhire is so good, and this team is so fundamentally sound. Minnesota can't go out and get big free-agent pickups and spend a lot of money. Instead, the Twins focus on the fundamentals and work hard to perfect them. They are great with runners in scoring position. They can't rely on the long ball, so they hit behind runners, run well and take the extra base.

Michael Cuddyer has been ridiculously good this month (seven homers, 21 RBIs). His production has served as a quick pick-me-up for the Twins. The trade for Orlando Cabrera to solidify the shortstop position was huge because defensively he is one of the best. Offensively, he has so much experience in playoff baseball that he is always taking a good at-bat or coming up with a big hit with runners in scoring position.

The Twins and Royals last met Aug. 21-23. Minnesota swept Kansas City at home in that three-game series, but this is a different Royals team. The biggest difference about the Royals this time around is Zack Greinke. This will be the first time this season the Twins are going up against Greinke, who pitches Sunday.

The Royals already are thinking about next year, so you have a lot of guys fighting for positions. This last week and a half is critical because everyone wants to play and leave a good impression on the coaches before going home for the offseason.

Even though the Royals have been playing better than before, the Twins will win this series.

Tigers at White Sox

The Tigers allowed the Twins back into this race, but they have played well lately to keep Minnesota from coming all the way back. The Tigers have Nate Robertson, Eddie Bonine and Edwin Jackson going this weekend against Jake Peavy, Freddy Garcia and Daniel Hudson for the White Sox.

White Sox manager Ozzie Guillen has been pressuring his players to make an impression at the end of the season and finish strong. The Tigers' offense has been clicking lately. Placido Polanco gets big hits in big situations. As the pressure grows, he gets better.

Ultimately, the White Sox have a lot of guys who want to make a lasting impression and crush the Tigers' spirits.

Defensively the Tigers have been great with Adam Everett and Polanco up the middle. Plus, they have Brandon Inge over there at third. Curtis Granderson can be a big force from the leadoff spot, and Miguel Cabrera has been on fire of late.

Even though Chicago has a solid lineup and a healthy Peavy, this series means too much for Detroit. The Tigers should win this series and maintain that edge in the AL Central.

Past Baseball Tonight Clubhouses: Sept. 23 | Sept. 22 | Sept. 21 | Sept. 20 | Sept. 17

TOUCH 'EM ALL

Who went deep? Keep track of all the home runs hit each day on "Baseball Tonight" and on the Baseball Tonight Clubhouse page.

For more, check out the Home Run Tracker page.

Home Run Tracker
NAME	HR	OPP	SITUATION
Troy Tulowitzki, COL	30	Richard	Bot 1: 0-0, 1 Out. 2 on.
Matt Kemp, LAD	26	Martin	Top 1: 0-0, 0 Outs. 2 on.
David Ortiz, BOS	26	Lerew	Top 4: 1-2, 0 Outs. None on.
Jack Cust, OAK	23	Feldman	Bot 4: 1-2, 1 Out. None on.
Jimmy Rollins, PHI	20	Suppan	Top 5: 2-2, 1 Out. 2 on.
Franklin Gutierrez, SEA	17	Romero	Top 3: 1-2, 1 Out. 1 on.
Shin-Soo Choo, CLE	17	Rodney	Bot 9: 2-2, 2 Outs. 1 on.
Vernon Wells, TOR	15	Hernandez	Bot 6: 0-0, 0 Outs. 2 on.
Rafael Furcal, LAD	9	Villone	Top 8: 1-0, 1 Out. None on.
Nick Hundley, SD	8	Hammel	Top 5: 0-0, 1 Out. None on.
Lastings Milledge, PIT	3	Arroyo	Bot 7: 1-0, 0 Outs. None on.

The complete list of Thursday's homers

ON DECK: WEEKEND WATCH

Red Sox at Yankees

Can the Red Sox go into the Bronx and sweep the Yankees, thus making it at least a little interesting in the AL East heading into the postseason? Both teams are headed to the playoffs, but who knows what a big weekend from either team could do to the other's psyche. Jon Lester and Joba Chamberlain get things going in the opener.

Cubs at Giants

The series kicked off Thursday, and it carries some significance for the Giants. They remain in the NL wild-card race, trying to chase down the Rockies. Also, Tim Lincecum is vying for his second consecutive Cy Young. He heads to the mound in an intriguing matchup Friday, when he faces the Cubs' Carlos Zambrano. Lincecum beat the Cubs earlier this year at Wrigley Field.

Cardinals at Rockies

The Rockies are trying to hang on to that NL wild-card berth. At the same time, they will be trying to help out at least one member of the pursuing Giants in a way. On Friday, the Rockies face Chris Carpenter. On Saturday, they get Adam Wainwright. Those two pitchers are the top contenders, along with Lincecum, for the NL Cy Young Award.

For the rest of Friday's schedule, click here. To see what's on tap for Saturday, click here. And for Sunday's full slate of games, click here.