Series Preview: Royals (79-62) at Tigers (78-65)

Despite it being Derek Jeter weekend in the Bronx, Kansas City walked away taking two of three from New York. Next up is the much anticipated AL Central showdown between division leading Royals and preseason favorite Tigers.

Jeremy Guthrie will start for the Royals in Detroit against the Tigers. Photo Credit: Steven Bisig-USA TODAY Sports

All eyes will be on Comerica Park the next three days so here’s all the information that you’ll need before it begins. Important to note that when these teams last played Detroit was 53-38 and Kansas City 48-46, the Tigers have gone 25-27 while the Royals are 31-16

Probable Pitching Match-ups:
Monday, 3:08 pm – Jeremy Guthrie/RHP (10-10, 4.31) v. Justin Verlander/RHP (12-12, 4.80)
Tuesday, 6:08 pm – Jason Vargas/LHP (11-7, 3.14) v. Max Scherzer/RHP (15-5, 3.25)
Wednesday, 6:08 pm – James Shields/RHP (13-7, 3.23) v. Rick Porcello/RHP (15-10, 3.30)

Comments on Pitching Match-ups – Monday afternoon Guthrie faces Verlander to begin this series with both pitchers having .500 record plus ERA’s at 4.31 and 4.80. Game two it’ll be Vargas against Scherzer who pitches well against KC. Finally in game three it’ll be two pitchers in Shields/Porcello who have nearly identical records and earned run averages to close this series out.

Series Predictions – There’s no hiding just how big this series is Kansas City given that they enter leading the Central by two games. It’s also important given that for fans 28 and under it’s the biggest series of their lives. I want to say that KC wins this three game series but with who Detroit is throwing I think they get one and hold onto the lead heading home this weekend. Prediction: Tigers take two of three (note a similar prediction against New York worked out this past weekend)

2014 Meetings:
Can you believe it was just before the All-Star Break in July since these teams last met? The than division leading Tigers won three of four games by a combined 25-11 score (lost 16-4, 2-1, 5-1 with a 5-2 win) Yordano Ventura had KC’s lone victory.

Franchise History:
Detroit retook the all-time series lead after winning three of four games back in July and are 311-309. The Tigers hold an advantage of 164-148 in the Motor City which includes being 72-61 at Comerica Park.

TV/Radio Coverage:
FOX Sports Kansas City has all three games with Ryan Lefebvre Steve Physioc and Rex Hudler on TV. Joel Goldberg and Jeff Montgomery host Royals Live before and after from the field.

ESPN will have Wednesday Night Baseball from Detroit for this critical series, expect a blackout for those in the FSKC viewing area but for those outside.

Lastly fans can tune into the Royals Radio Network (610 Sports in Kansas City) with Steve Physioc and Steve Stewart on the call from the Motor City.

AL Central Standings (September 7):
Kansas City Royals (79-62, – GB/Magic Number 19)
Detroit Tigers (78-65, 2 GB)
Cleveland Indians (74-67, 5 GB)
Chicago White Sox (63-79, 16.5 GB)
Minnesota Twins (61-82, 19 GB)

2014 Series Schedule/Results v. Tigers (DET 9-4)
March 30 – April 2, Comerica Park – L 4-3, L 2-1 F/10, PPD
May 2-4, Kauffman Stadium – L 8-2, L 9-2, L 9-4
June 16-18, Comerica Park – W 11-8, W 11-4, W 2-1, L 2-1
July 10-13, Kauffman Stadium – L 16-4, L 2-1, L 5-1, W 5-2
September 8-10, Comerica Park
September 19-21, Kauffman Stadium

Game Notes:
Detroit Tigers
Kansas City Royals