Game Preview: Kansas City Royals at Detroit Tigers

by MatthewLaFave on Apr 8, 2011 11:00 AM EDT in Detroit Tigers Analysis

Kansas City Royals (4-2) at Detroit Tigers (2-4)

3:05 p.m. today

Probable Pitchers:
KC - Kyle Davies (3-8, 5.50 ERA, 42 K vs. Detroit)
Hitter to Fear: Victor Martinez (.333, 2 HR, 6 RBI vs. Davies)
Hitter to Fail: Brandon Inge (.261, 5 K vs. Davies)

DET - Max Scherzer (2-2, 2.73 ERA, 22 K vs. Kansas City)
Hitter to Fear: Jeff Francoeur (.375, 3B, HR vs. Scherzer)
Hitter to Fail: Melky Cabrera (.000, 2 K vs. Scherzer)

Analysis:

After a disappointing loss last night in Baltimore, the Tigers come home for their season opener today. It will be a quick turnaround for the team, as it touched down in Detroit in the wee hours of the night for an afternoon game today.

Max Scherzer gets the ball for Detroit. After giving up four homeruns to the Yankees in his last start, he'll be happy to return to pitcher friendly Comerica Park. Unlike much of the team, he'll benefit from a good night's sleep back in Detroit, as he had the luxury of flying back ahead of the rest of the team.

Kansas City counters with Kyle Davies, who is coming off a no decision against the Angels. The crowd will be loud and the adrenaline will be flowing, there is no way you can bet against the Tigers for this game.

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Comments

Looks like the rain will be out of the area right around first pitch.

by ScarletP on Apr 8, 2011 11:11 AM EDT reply actions

I'm dying look out the window towards CoPa and being unable to get any closer!

by rcpratt on Apr 8, 2011 11:14 AM EDT reply actions

You need a new category

“Pitcher to Fail: Brad Thomas. 0-1, 40.50 ERA, 0 K”

by johnmoz on Apr 8, 2011 11:15 AM EDT reply actions

I'm really wondering how much time some of these guys will get.

I’m not reading too much into the first week of the season, but in 3-4 weeks i’m wondering what happens if guys like Thomas, Gonzales, Rhymes don’t improve and the team has other options for all of these guys.

by Bulvine on Apr 8, 2011 11:36 AM EDT up reply actions

Interesting question

Despite his average, I think Rhymes has been decent so far…he’s been hanging tough, drawing high pitch counts, and moving runners. His leash might be the longest of the bunch.

Someone will have to go when Perry returns and if Zumaya returns. Weinhardt can probably stick if he throws well over the next two weeks and Enrique or Thomas doesn’t I’m guessing that Thomas has the assurance of being a lefty, so Weinhardt, Perry, or Zumaya aren’t likely replacement for him (but I wouldn’t rule it out with another outing or two like that. If he’s walking lefties, he’s useless.)

The other sports are just sports. Baseball is a love. ~Bryant Gumbel, 1981

by momotigers on Apr 8, 2011 12:11 PM EDT up reply actions