Zack Greinke (11-7, 2.43) vs. 
Jarrod Washburn (8-7, 3.12), 7:05 p.m. EST
Following a rough four-game series in Boston, the Tigers return home for a six-game home stand before heading out west. The Royals come into town after doing the Tigers a favor by winning two out of three at the Metrodome. But let the gratitude end at the handshakes, okay?
Zack Greinke broke a seven-game winless streak by beating the A's in his last start. He pitched seven innings, giving up three runs and seven hits. That looked much more familiar than the guy who got shelled for six runs and 10 hits by the Rays in his previous outing. Greinke has done well against Detroit this year, pitching two complete games in which he allowed only one earned run. However, the Tigers got to him last time around, scoring three runs in six innings.
In the game in which they beat Greinke, Luke French held the Royals to one run. So the question becomes, can the pitcher he was traded for do as well? Jarrod Washburn hasn't looked so great in his first two starts for the Tigers, giving up 11 runs and 16 hits in 11.1 innings. Those who think he was a product of his ballpark and defense in Seattle are sharpening their knives.
Washburn pitched well against the Royals back in May , though. In seven innings, he held them to one earned run. But maybe we shouldn't mention that, since he looked great against the Orioles and Twins in previous starts, too. That didn't work out so well for the Tigers. But here we are again.
Royals Review has your SB Nation opposing view for this weekend's series.