Royals at Tigers
The Detroit Tigers will attempt to win back-to-back home games for the first time since a three-game series sweep against Kansas City in early April when they host the Royals on Friday. Jordy Mercer belted a two-run homer in the ninth inning of Thursday's 10-8 victory for Detroit, which has won two of three after losing 18 of its previous 21.
The sputtering American League Central rivals combined for eight homers in the series opener, with Miguel Cabrera's 473rd tying him with Carlos Delgado for 33rd on the all-time list. Cabrera's solo shot in the fourth inning boosted his hit total to 16 in his last 11 games after being mired in a demoralizing 2-for-35 stretch in the previous nine. Kansas City's Hunter Dozier recorded his second multi-homer performance of the road trip to boost his season total to 20 blasts, with four coming at the expense of the Tigers. Alex Gordon also went deep for just his second hit in his last 28 at-bats (seven games), although his three-run blast was his 15th at Comerica Park -- the most by any active visiting player.
TV: 7:10 p.m. ET, FS Kansas City, FS Detroit
PITCHING MATCHUP: Royals RH Brad Keller (7-11, 3.95 ERA) vs. Tigers TBD
Keller answered a three-start winning streak by losing his second straight contest on Sunday despite allowing just two runs on five hits in seven innings of a 3-0 setback at Minnesota. The 24-year-old has worked at least seven frames in four of his last five trips to the mound, including an eight-inning performance in which he permitted one run in a 4-1 win versus Detroit. Cabrera is 3-for-8 in his career against Keller, who has gotten the better of Niko Goodrum (0-for-9, three strikeouts).
Although the Tigers have not made a formal announcement, multiple outlets have reported that the team is expected to select the contract of veteran right-hander Edwin Jackson (1-5, 11.12 ERA) from Triple-A Toledo prior to Friday's game. The 35-year-old, who has pitched for a record 14 major league teams, is in line to make his second stint with the Tigers (2009). Jackson previously pitched with Toronto this season before agreeing to a minor-league deal with Detroit last month.
WALK-OFFS
1. Detroit sports an 8-3 record against Kansas City this season and 26-75 mark versus all other teams.
2. Royals 2B Whit Merrifield had two hits in the opener to improve to 18-for-54 with 11 extra-base hits (seven doubles, two triples and two homers) against the Tigers this season.
3. Tigers CF JaCoby Jones' availability is in question after he sustained a left wrist contusion in the series opener.