DETROIT -- Paul Molitor isnt particularly fond of the spoilers role.The Minnesota manager had his team in playoff contention much of last season. This year, the Twins are wallowing in last place in the American League Central.They have an opportunity to diminish the Detroit Tigers drive for a postseason spot during a four-game series this week. Molitor doubts that his team will gain extra motivation from that. Minnesota lost the opener on Monday night, 4-2.Weve talked a little bit over the last few weeks about the spoiler role, he said. Some players might draw upon that somewhat, when youre playing a team thats trying to get in the postseason. The game highlights will probably be shown. Who knows how certain players respond to that?I never really took a lot of pleasure in being someone who wasnt in the race and beat teams that were trying to get in the postseason. Youre going out there and trying to play your best game, regardless of whether its spring training, April, September or the World Series.The Twins (53-91) have been an easy mark for the Tigers this season. Detroit (77-66) is now 11-2 against Minnesota while averaging 5.8 runs per game. Ian Kinsler and Miguel Cabrera had solo homers in Mondays game, helping the Tigers pull within one game of the Baltimore Orioles in the race for the second American League wild card.Theyve swung the bats well against us, Molitor said. (Justin) Upton had a slow start, and hes killed us. Cabrera has always kind of been a Twins killer. Victor (Martinez), J.D. (Martinez) -- they seem to swing the bats well against us. The have a really nice, balanced lineup.Minnesotas lineup was weakened Monday by the absence of first baseman Joe Mauer, who is batting a quad injury. Mauer also missed Sundays game against the Cleveland Indians and will sit out the Tuesday game against Detroit left-hander Matt Boyd.Im going to probably re-evaluate where hes at in terms of getting a start on Wednesday, Molitor said. Well see if 72 hours gives him a little bit of improved health with that leg.Twins third baseman Miguel Sano left the Monday game due to lower back tightness.Minnesota right-hander Kyle Gibson, who lost his only start against Detroit this season, will be on the mound Tuesday. Gibson (5-9, 5.34 ERA) is 3-5 with a 5.44 ERA in 10 career starts against the Tigers.Boyd (5-3, 3.89 ERA) has won both of his starts against Minnesota this season, posting a 2.25 ERA and 14 strikeouts in those outings.Boyd gave up two homers to the Twins on Aug. 24 in a 9-4 Detroit victory.Theyve got some solid bats in that lineup, he said. Theyve got guys with experience, and theyve got a lot of (young) guys with a lot of talent. Ive got to attack the zone, use all four pitches and keep doing what Ive been doing.Keeping his emotions in check in a pivotal game for his team will be a key for the second-year pitcher.Its awesome to be in a race like this, and its awesome to have a chance to start at home in the process of that, he said. Im not taking it for granted, but Ive got to look at it as just another start.The Tigers could be without Upton. He departed the Monday game because of a left calf strain. Cheap Nike Sb Shoes Canada . Sgt. Eric ONeal says most of the arrests at Monday nights game were for public drunkenness, though one person was taken into custody on suspicion of trying to steal a seat from the stadium. Nike Sb Canada Outlet .ca looks back at the stories and moments that made the year memorable. http://www.wholesalenikesbcanada.com/ . A big centre with all the tools to be an elite player, Johansen paced the Blue Jackets with a standout game Saturday night. He had a goal and two assists for a career-high three points as Columbus beat the New York Islanders 5-2 to snap a five-game losing streak. Nike Sb Shoes Canada . -- There were so many positives from the Orlando Magics first victory of the season that it was hard for coach Jacque Vaughn to stop praising his players. Wholesale Sb Canada . If ever they start actually putting pictures beside words in the dictionary, the Blue Jays left-handers mug will appear beside “Consistency. The Texas Rangers could be getting a boost as outfielder Shin-Soo Choo, who has been sidelined since mid-August with a fractured left forearm, appears ready to rejoin the team for the playoffs.Choo, who had surgery Aug. 16, has been facing live pitching in Arizona instructional league games and has five hits in 10 at-bats over two games. The Rangers are hoping he will be able to play the final series of the regular season against the Tampa Bay Rays.Weve got a decision to make if hes able to make it through and whether or not we feel like hes up to speed and ready to go, Rangers manager Jeff Banister told reporters Tuesday. We want him to be because hes a quality player.The Rangers (93-65) have the best record in the American League through Tuesdays games.TThe Rangers signed?Carlos Gomez?after Choo went down and have put him in the leadoff spot, along with Nomar Mazara and Delino DeShields.dddddddddddd Choo remains the Rangers best leadoff option with a .362 OBP when batting at the top of the order.I think we all know that Choo, when it comes to seeing the baseball, swinging the bat, he seems to make progress fairly quickly, Banister said. Im pleased. This is going to come down to whether he can he handle the actual load of work.It has been a frustrating season for Choo, who has made four trips to the disabled list and has been limited to 45 games, posting a .247 batting average. ' ' '