Royals at Tigers
The Detroit Tigers have been sliding backward in the American League Central Division since an 8-4 start to the year but hope to get back on track when they open a six-game homestand with the first of three versus the Kansas City Royals on Friday night. The Tigers opened an eight-game road trip with a doubleheader sweep in Boston before dropping five of their last six.
Detroit opens the homestand by sending its most consistent pitcher to the mound in left-hander Matthew Boyd, who has registered five consecutive quality starts. Miguel Cabrera, who has a career-best .326 batting average in May, hit safely in six of eight games on the recent trek. The Royals, who are coming off a four-game split at home versus Tampa Bay, enter the series with the worst road record (3-10) in the majors. Whit Merrifield had a pair of triples in Thursday's 3-1 loss and has been a nemesis for Boyd, going 12-for-25 with four doubles and a triple.
TV: 7:10 p.m. ET, FS Kansas City, FS Detroit
PITCHING MATCHUP: Royals RH Jorge Lopez (0-2, 5.08 ERA) vs. Tigers LH Matthew Boyd (2-2, 3.13)
Lopez is coming off his shortest start of the season, lasting only 3 2/3 innings and giving up four runs on six hits in a no-decision against the Los Angeles Angels. He was roughed up in his previous two outings, giving up five runs over seven innings in a no-decision at Yankee Stadium after taking the loss with six innings of four-run ball spiced with 10 strikeouts at the Chicago White Sox. Nicholas Castellanos is 2-for-4 with a homer off Lopez, who is 0-1 with a 10.29 ERA in two starts versus Detroit.
Boyd deserved a better fate last time out at the White Sox on Sunday, taking the loss despite striking out nine batters and permitting two runs on five hits over six innings. He went seven innings for the second straight start in his previous turn at Boston on April 23 and picked up the victory with seven innings of three-run ball. Boyd, who is holding the opposition to a .204 batting average, had an ugly history against Kansas City with a 3-7 record and swollen 6.65 ERA in 14 career starts.
WALK-OFFS
1. Cabrera needs five hits to tie Billy Williams (2,711) for 67th place on the all-time hits list.
2. The Royals lead the majors with 12 triples, including five by Merrifield.
3. Tigers RH Shane Greene was named American League reliever of the month after converting all 12 of his save chances.