Series Preview: Tigers at Royals

Detroit Tigers (59-52) at Kansas City Royals (47-63)

Probable Pitchers:
Friday August 5, 8:10p:
RHP Rick Porcello (11-6, 4.50, 69 K, 30 BB)
Hitter to Fear: Melky Cabrera (5 for 8, 1 2B)
Hitter to Fail: Chris Getz (2 for 15, 1 K)

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RHP Felipe Paulino (1-4, 3.51, 77 K, 24 BB)
Hitter to Fear: Ramon Santiago (1 for 2, 1 HR, 1 RBI)
Hitter to Fail: Don Kelly (0 for 3, 1 K)

Saturday August 6, 7:10p:
RHP Justin Verlander (15-5, 2.24, 178 K, 36 BB)
Hitter to Fear: Billy Butler (14 for 36, 4 2B, 2 HR, 5 RBI)
Hitter to Fail: Alex Gordon (4 for 27, 10 K)

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LHP Danny Duffy (3-4, 5.05, 60 K, 33 BB)
Hitter to Fear: Ryan Raburn (1 for 2, 1 HR, 2 RBI)
Hitter to Fail: Jhonny Peralta (0 for 2, 1 K)

Sunday August 7, 2:10p:
RHP Max Scherzer (11-6, 4.23, 115 K, 44 BB)
Hitter to Fear: Mitch Maier (4 for 7, 1 2B)
Hitter to Fail: Jeff Francoeur (4 for 14, 4 K)

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LHP Bruce Chen (5-5, 4.37, 49 K, 31 BB)
Hitter to Fear: Miguel Cabrera (8 for 16, 2 2B, 3 HR, 7 RBI)
Hitter to Fail: Austin Jackson (1 for 12, 3 K)

What to Watch For:
1. Justin-credible - Tigers starter Justin Verlander almost pitched another no-hitter in his last start against the Angels. In his last 3 starts, he is 3-0 with a 1.88 ERA and 25 strikeouts. Verlander has also pitched very well against the Royals, he is career 12-2 with a 2.31 ERA and 110 strikeouts against them.

2. Royals Rookie Watch - Kansas City first baseman Eric Hosmer, who was just selected as the AL July Rookie of the Month, is hitting .308 with 7 RBIs in his last 10 games. Royals rookie 3rd baseman Mike Moustakas on the other hand has been struggling as of late. He is only hitting .205 with 5 strikeouts in his last 10 games.

On Deck:
Tigers have an off day on Monday and then continue their road trip to Cleveland for 3 games and then off to Baltimore for 3.