Zach Miner (3-3, 4.23) vs. 
Luke Hochevar (6-7, 5.10)
As the Tigers try to claw back into the AL Central race, it seems appropriate that they have to face one of the teams that put them in this predicament to begin with. The Royals landed a punch squarely on the Tigers' chin at the very beginning of the season with a sweep at Comerica Park, and Detroit has been trying to recover ever since.
Zach Miner gets his first start of the year for the Tigers after a dry run in Toledo to allow him to work on all of his pitches. In four appearances with the Mud Hens (two starts), Miner posted an 0-1 record and 3.38 ERA, with 15 strikeouts in 10 2/3 innings. Before being sent down to Toledo, Miner had a 3-3 record and 4.23 ERA in 44 2/3 innings out of the Tigers' bullpen.
Luke Hochevar comes off what was probably his best start of the season, holding the Mariners to one run and five hits in seven innings. That effort follows two starts in which Hochevar was slammed for 13 runs in 10 innings by the Rays and Orioles, respectively. He attributes the turnaround to making adjustments once hitters have figured out what he likes to throw. But Hochevar shut the Tigers out over six innings the last time he faced them, so it's Detroit that will have to do the adjusting tonight.
Kansas City has won all six of its games against Detroit this year. And they've been dominant, outscoring the Tigers 26-11.
Royals Review has your SB Nation opposing view for this three-game series.