KC Royals Series Preview: Tigers (15-7) at Royals (14-7)

Tonight AL Central foes renew acquaintances at Kauffman Stadium for the first of four games between two of the leagues better teams. Detroit enters this series with a half game lead in the division over our KC Royals.

Alex Gordon will bat leadoff tonight as the Royals welcome the Tigers to town for four games. Photo Credit: Ken Blaze-USA TODAY Sports

These four games are important even if it’s the last day of April, they are still divisional games like the last week and a half have been.

Probable Pitching Match-ups:
Thursday, 7:10 pm – Alfredo Simon/RHP (4-0, 1.65) v. Danny Duffy/LHP (1-0, 4.15)
Friday, 7:10 pm – Kyle Lobstein/RHP (2-1, 3.50) v. Chris Young/RHP (1-0, 1.86)
Saturday, 6:10 pm – David Price/LHP (2-1, 3.48) v. Edinson Volquez/RHP (2-2, 1.91)
Sunday, 1:10 pm – Anibal Sanchez/RHP (1-3, 5.46) v. Jason Vargas/LHP (2-1, 5.95)

Comments on Pitching Match-ups – It’s another series and another advantage on paper for the Royals opponents in my opinion. With Yordano Ventura starting last night in Cleveland against the Tribe, KC will start Duffy, Volquez and Vargas while not announcing who get the ball on Friday.
Game 1: Simon enters this start on an absolute tear as he’s 4-0 with a sub-two ERA. Duffy will hopefully be able to log some innings which has been a recent issue for this teams starters.
Game 2: Lobstein has been one of the pleasant surprises for manager Brad Ausmus pitching staff so far this season. Young who had been a long man out of the bullpen will make his first start for the boys in blue in place of Jeremy Guthrie.
Game 3: Former Cy Young winner Price will go for the Tigers, he’s had an alright season but did have a lousy start recently against the Yankees. Volquez who is coming off a loss and his suspension gets the Saturday night start.
Game 4: Sanchez has the worst record and highest ERA of starters the visitors from the Motor City will start. Vargas has a higher ERA than his opponent but will be looking to bounce back from a string of poor starts.

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Series Predictions – Miguel Cabrera and Victor Martinez are coming to town as is Royal pain J.D. Martinez among others. These Tigers may look the same but have different stripes to them as they’re a force on the base paths as well. KC will need more from the line-up in addition to Alex Gordon who’s been on a tear recently. The team has also not announced the availability of Alcides Escobar who left last night’s game. Due to who Detroit is starting to who’s Kansas City is enough to pick against the Royals this weekend sadly. Prediction: Tigers win three of four

2014 Meetings:
A season ago the Tigers were 13-6 against the Royals which helped Detroit claim the division championship by handling KC. These teams were separated by one game in the final standings.

Franchise History:
All-time Detroit holds an advantage of 315 to 311 in what’s been a close series between these clubs. KC however, is 162-149 in the city of fountains which includes a record of 152-135 at the K.

TV/Radio Coverage:
FOX Sports Kansas City will broadcast all three games with Ryan Lefebvre and Rex Hudler on the call. FSKC will televise the ring and raising of the 2014 AL Champions banner during Royals Live which is hosted by Joel Goldberg and Royals Hall of Famer Jeff Montgomery from left field.

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
April 30-May 3: Kauffman Stadium
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

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