KC Royals Series Preview: Royals (18-10) at Tigers (18-11)

For the second straight weekend the top two AL Central teams square off in an effort to get separation from one another. Last week Kauffman Stadium was rocking so it’ll be interesting to see how Comerica Park and Tigers fan do.

He’s back! Yordano Ventura returns to throw fire against the Tigers on Friday. Photo Credit: Matt Marton-USA TODAY Sports

This is the second of six series this season between these pair who’ve early on separated themselves early on from others in the division.

Probable Pitching Match-ups:
Friday, 6:08 pm – Yordano Ventura/RHP (2-2, 4.94) v. David Price/LHP (3-1, 2.93)
Saturday, 12:08 pm – Jeremy Guthrie/RHP (1-2, 6.52) v. Anibal Sanchez/RHP (2-3, 5.11)
Sunday, 7:05 pm – TBA v. Shane Greene/RHP (3-1, 4.60)

Comments on Pitching Match-ups – Good news fire will be thrown for the first time in seven days as Ventura returns from his suspension. Detroit throws Price and Sanchez who really confounded Kansas City last week at the K. Sunday the KC Royals are undecided who they’ll throw with Jason Vargas taking a DL stint (likely Chris Young), Green will make his first start this season against the boys in blue.
Game 1: This on paper looks to be the best pitching match-up between the KC Royals and Motor City Bengals. Ventura will try to establish consistency from the standpoint of cramps caused him to leave his first two starts, ejections the next two then leaving his pre-suspension start early. Price threw a complete game with his only blemish a ninth inning home run surrendered to Lorenzo Cain.
Game 2: Last Sunday we saw Guthrie and Sanchez oppose one another with Jeremy having a rough inning which really did him and his team in. Sanchez was efficient and wilted late but earned a victory last Sunday afternoon.
Game 3: Vargas spot will be vacated which begs the question who gets the start? Yohan Pino or Chris Young (who pitched well last Friday against the Tigers) or does someone from Omaha or elsewhere get called up for Sunday Night Baseball? Green has a good record despite his high ERA.

More from KC Royals News

Series Predictions – We discussed Detroit’s big bats last weekend prior to these teams meeting up and Miguel Cabrera hit his first homer in nearly two years against KC. The Tigers got their offense from unlikely sources in the final two games. Mike Moustakas will miss this series as he takes a trip to the bereavement list. Can Eric Hosmer continue his recent power surge away from Kansas City? Alcides Escobar returns from the 7-day concussion list. We’ll see KC throw their best pitcher in the opener but he’ll be opposed by Detroit’s best, the Tigers also throw two other solid pitchers. Prediction: Tigers win two of three

2015 Meetings:
Kansas City won games one and two by a combined score of 12-2 by winning 8-1, 4-1 before Detroit bounced back to win 2-1 and 6-4. Danny Duffy and Young earned wins with Price plus Sanchez also picking up victories.

Franchise History:
All-time the Tigers holds an advantage of 317 to 313 after last week’s split between these teams. In Detroit is 166 and 149 which includes a 74-62 at Comerica Park since its opening.

TV/Radio Coverage:
FOX Sports Kansas City will broadcast Friday’s game with Ryan Lefebvre and Rex Hudler on the call. Royals Live is with Joel Goldberg and Royals Hall of Famer Jeff Montgomery from the field takes place prior to the game and after.

MLB Network will be taking a feed for the nation to see on Friday night. FOX Sports 1 has the Saturday’s game for a national audience during the afternoon broadcasters TBA. Kansas City makes their lone Sunday Night Baseball appearance to conclude this series with Dan Shulman, Curt Schilling, John Kruk and Buster Olney on the broadcast.

The Royals Radio Network (610 Sports in Kansas City) has Royals Hall of Famer/2007 Ford C. Frick Award winner Denny Matthews who’s joined in the booth by Steve Physioc and Steve Stewart describing all the action from the K.

2015 Series Schedule/Results v. Tigers (Series Tied 2-2)
April 30-May 3: Kauffman Stadium – W 8-1, W 4-1, L 2-1, L 6-4
May 8-10: Comerica Park
August 4-6: Comerica Park
August 10-12: Kauffman Stadium
September 1-3: Kauffman Stadium
September 18-20: Comerica Park

Game Notes:
Detroit Tigers
Kansas City Royals

Next: Royals Options to Fix the Rotation

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