Tigers at Royals
The Kansas City Royals host the Detroit Tigers on Friday night in the opener of a three-game series between a pair of teams battling to stay out of the cellar in the American League Central. Kansas City lost nine of 11 contests before the All-Star break to sit one game behind - but one percentage point ahead - of Detroit, which was swept in three games by Boston last weekend and has dropped 18 of its past 21 contests overall.
The Royals (30-61) scored just two runs combined while losing the last two contests against Washington, but All-Star Whit Merrifield is riding a nine-game hitting streak (14-for-38) while teammate Alex Gordon went 6-for-12 with a pair of doubles in his past three outings. The Tigers (28-57) start a seven-game road trip against division foes after losing 25 of their past 28 contests at Comerica Park and are 6-3 against the Royals this season after dropping two of three at Kansas City in June 11-13. Nicholas Castellanos has hit safely in 12 of his last 13 games, going 19-for-53 during that stretch, and Detroit’s offense has perked up a bit over the last six contests with 37 runs combined. The Tigers have yet to announce a starter for Friday’s opener while the Royals counter with left-hander Danny Duffy.
TV: 8:15 p.m. ET, FS Detroit, FS Kansas City
PITCHING MATCHUP: Tigers TBD vs. Royals LH Danny Duffy (3-5, 4.28)
The Tigers likely won’t announce their starter for the series opener until Friday, but could turn to right-hander Spencer Turnbull (3-8, 3.31 ERA) after he spent more than two weeks on the injured list with shoulder fatigue. The 26-year-old University of Alabama product finished June with an 0-4 record and 4.70 ERA in five starts before going on the IL. Detroit may also go with an opener instead of Turnbull, who is 0-0 with a 1.42 ERA in three starts against the Royals in 2019.
Duffy is winless in his last eight games despite posting quality starts in five of those outings, including July 3 when he gave up two runs over 6 2/3 innings against Cleveland in a loss. The 30-year-old California native has served up seven homers in his last four starts after surrendering five in the previous nine outings. Castellanos has two homers and eight RBIs against Duffy, who allowed two runs across seven innings in a no-decision versus Detroit on June 12.
WALK-OFFS
1. Detroit UTIL Brandon Dixon went 3-for-7 with a homer in the last series against Boston after a 1-for-19 slump over the previous five games.
2. Kansas City SS Adalberto Mondesi leads the majors with 28 stolen bases and has hit safely in the last four contests.
3. Tigers All-Star RHP Shane Greene has allowed one run in his last 12 outings and is 22-of-24 in save opportunities this season.