Weekend Preview: Royals at Tigers

Kansas City Royals (4-3) at Detroit Tigers (3-4)

Probable Pitchers:
Saturday April 9, 4:10p: LHP Bruce Chen (0-0, 9.00) vs. LHP Phil Coke (0-1, 7.71)
Sunday April 10, 1:05p: RHP Luke Hochevar (0-1, 6.17) vs. RHP Rick Porcello (0-1, 9.00)

Lineup Notes:
With a lefty on the mound for both ball clubs on Saturday, you won't see a lot of left handed hitters in either lineup. Victor Martinez could get the start at catcher to give Alex Avila the day off against a lefty. This could also mean some playing time for Ryan Raburn. If Victor starts at catcher, the Tigers will likely DH Magglio Ordonez, giving an outfield position to the right-handed hitter Raburn.

UPDATE: Official Lineup - Jackson CF, Rhymes 2B, Ordonez DH, Cabrera 1B, Martinez C, Ryan Raburn LF, Jhonny Peralta SS, Brandon Inge 3B, Casper Wells RF

Saturday:
KC - Bruce Chen (2-3, 6.71 ERA, 38 K, 26 BB vs. Detroit)
Hitter to Fear: Miguel Cabrera (.571, 3 HR, 7 RBI vs. Chen)
Hitter to Fail: Brandon Inge (.048, 6 K vs. Chen)

DET - Phil Coke (0-1, 5.19, 7 K vs. Kansas City)
Hitter to Fear: Billy Butler (2 for 2, 1 HR, 3 RBI vs. Coke)
Hitter to Fail: Wilson Betemit (0 for 0, 1 K vs. Coke)

Sunday:
KC - Luke Hochevar (2-3, 4.50 ERA, 6 K vs. Detroit)
Hitter to Fear: Miguel Cabrera (.529, 1 HR, 5 RBI vs. Hochevar)
Hitter to Fail: Jhonny Peralta (.133, 5 K vs. Hochevar)

DET - Rick Porcello (3-1, 4.57 ERA, 25 K vs. Kansas City)
Hitter to Fear: Billy Butler (.316, 3 RBI vs. Porcello)
Hitter to Fail: Chris Getz (1 for 10 vs. Porcello)

Analysis:
The Detroit Tigers are certainly glad to be home, especially after the 5-2 victory over the Royals on Friday. The Tigers look to an inexperienced starter and a 22 year old to finish the sweep of the Royals at Comerica. If the Tigers can strike early at the plate on Saturday (not literally), it should make Coke ease up and make it seem like a relief appearance. Too bad the Royals get first at-bats though. With the Tigers looking more and more successful with their bats, there is no reason why not to expect a sweep this weekend. With Joaquin Benoit and Jose Valverde at the end of the Tigers bullpen, we'll have no problem keeping the lead at the end of games.