Bless You Boys - Game 66: Royals 11, Tigers 8A detailed list of nope about the Detroit Tigershttps://cdn.vox-cdn.com/community_logos/47585/default.png2014-06-17T00:34:37-04:00http://www.blessyouboys.com/rss/stream/55779652014-06-17T00:34:37-04:002014-06-17T00:34:37-04:00Royals 11, Tigers 8: Grand slam not enough
<figure>
<img alt="" src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/fJI2PeZWwF4n1BYWtxJqHtxU79Q=/0x194:2867x2105/1310x873/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/34435499/450735002.0.jpg" />
<figcaption>Duane Burleson</figcaption>
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<p>Justin Verlander and Evan Reed allowed a combined 11 runs, and the Tigers' offense showed up a little too late to make a difference in the outcome.</p> <p dir="ltr">DETROIT — A grand slam by <span>J.D. Martinez</span> in the ninth inning gave the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.blessyouboys.com/">Tigers</a> some excitement after a rough start by <span>Justin Verlander</span> and poor relief pitching by <span>Evan Reed</span>. But it was not enough, and the Tigers fell 11<span>–</span>8 in the series opener to the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.royalsreview.com/" style="background-color: #ffffff;">Kansas City Royals</a>.</p>
<p dir="ltr">Verlander has struggled in his last seven starts, and despite his velocity remaining high, his command and one-inning troubles will not go away. And for Verlander, who is used to pitching to near perfection, his performance of late has hardly been glistening.</p>
<p dir="ltr">"Frustration is definitely the word I'm using right now," Verlander said. "You don't give up, and you can't worry too long about the bad outings. You have to keep your eye on the bigger picture, and that means coming in here tomorrow and working on fixing what is going wrong." (h/t Dave Hogg, Fox Sports Detroit)</p>
<p dir="ltr">Amid speculation Verlander needs more recovery time after having offseason surgery to repair his core muscles, Tigers manager <span>Brad Ausmus</span> said he would not be skipping Verlander in the rotation.</p>
<p dir="ltr">Ausmus said location is the difference between May 9, when Verlander's ERA stood at 2.67, and now (4.98), but added it doesn't tell the entire story. "When you're not commanding the ball down in the zone, it's one thing to hit the plate on the corners, but when you're not commanding the ball down in the zone that's when it gets hit," Ausmus said. "It's more the balls that are up-middle and up-middle-away that end up getting hit."</p>
<p dir="ltr">Verlander's inability to get outs caused him to exit the sixth inning to an abundance of boos. He allowed seven runs on 12 hits and two walks in six innings. He struck out two, his lowest total since May 25.</p>
<p dir="ltr">Verlander was visibly frustrated as he exited the mound, but he placed the blame squarely on his shoulders. "I don't blame the fans for booing," he said. "They are frustrated with me, I'm just as frustrated with myself. I would have probably booed myself tonight. They've cheered me a lot of times, and they will cheer me again."</p>
<p dir="ltr">The Tigers played fine in the field, with the exception of the seventh inning, when they collected two errors — one coming from a bad throw by Reed, the other on a high throw by shortstop <span>Eugenio Suarez</span>.</p>
<p dir="ltr">The offense did its best to pick up Verlander and Reed — who, for the last 10 games has gone from being highly effective to unable to record an out — but trying to come back from a nine-run deficit is hard to do.</p>
<p dir="ltr">And those mistakes on the field as well as on the basepaths didn't help a game that had already gotten away from the Tigers by a significant margin. "There were a couple plays in the field, and we had the baserunning mistake that certainly didn't help us, but obviously didn't cost us the game," Ausmus said. "Those things need to be cleaned up."</p>
<p dir="ltr"><span>The Tigers now hold a mere half-game lead in the American League Central, and the Royals have now won eight consecutive games. The Tigers' record is 36</span><span>–</span>30 for the season.</p>
<p><b> </b></p>
<p><b>ROARS:</b></p>
<p><b> </b></p>
<p dir="ltr"><span>Rajai Davis</span>: Davis led off with a single and a stolen base in the first inning. He then drove in <span>Alex Avila</span> for the first run of the evening with an RBI double that nearly left the park.</p>
<p dir="ltr">Infield defense: Eugenio Suarez and <span>Ian Kinsler</span> have gelled in a short amount of time. The Royals seemed particularly drawn to Suarez, hitting several grounders to the young shortstop including three consecutively so in the first inning. With some exceptions, the Tigers defense has been firing on all cylinders as of late and provided fans with some nice plays.</p>
<p dir="ltr"><span>Blaine Hardy</span>: Got the job done when Reed couldn't. He entered the game with an 11<span>–</span>2 deficit and nobody out but struck out two and induced a groundout for the third out of the seventh inning. He went on to pitch a scoreless eighth inning.</p>
<p dir="ltr"><span>Phil Coke</span>: Pitched a 1-2-3 ninth inning, which ended in a swinging strikeout by <span>Eric Hosmer</span>.</p>
<p>J.D. Martinez: Replaced Torii Hunter in the fourth inning and was 0-2 for the evening until the ninth inning. With the bases loaded and two out, Martinez smoked the second grand slam of his career.</p>
<p><b>HISSES:</b></p>
<p dir="ltr"><span>Billy Butler</span>: Making Verlander frustrated since, well, forever it seems. He hit a bases-clearing RBI double in the fifth inning, which, at the time gave the Royals their first lead of the day for a score of 4<span>–</span>2. The Tigers would not gain the lead following that at-bat.</p>
<p dir="ltr">Justin Verlander: Verlander continues to struggle in the middle innings, and Monday night was no exception. He allowed four runs in the fourth inning alone, which put the Tigers behind by two, after they lead 2-0 for four innings. He then gave up a three-run shot to former Tigers second baseman <span>Omar Infante</span> in the sixth inning.</p>
<p dir="ltr">Royals defense: Give credit to <span>Lorenzo Cain</span> for making a spectacular diving catch in deep center field to rob J.D. Martinez of what should have been a run-scoring hit. That said, Cain did what <span>Austin Jackson</span> refuses to do; make a diving catch.</p>
<p dir="ltr">Evan Reed: He faced six batters and retired none of them. Of the four hits Reed allowed, four runs scored, although only one was earned. He also made a throwing error in the seventh that allowed two of the Royals runners to score.</p>
<p>Base-running: Bad base-running from J.D. Martinez and Victor Martinez could have cost the Tigers two scoring opportunities.</p>
<p><b> </b></p>
<p><b>STREAKS AND STATS:</b></p>
<ul>
<li><span>Davis swiped his 20th stolen base of the season, which makes him a roadrunner in layman's terms and second in the American League. The stolen base puts him fourth in the majors and inches him closer to the American League lead of 24, which currently belongs to <span>Jose Altuve</span> of the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.crawfishboxes.com/">Houston Astros</a>.</span></li>
<li><span>Davis had his fifth outfield assist of the season, which now ties him for fifth in the American League. Davis was 3-for-5 for the evening; he and <span>Victor Martinez</span> were the only two Tigers with multiple hits.</span></li>
<li><span>In the last 10 games, Reed has pitched 9⅔ innings, plus the six batters he faced Monday night when he failed to record a single out. Since May 20, Reed has allowed 19 hits, 12 runs (all earned), six walks, 12 strikeouts, and two home runs. Prior to that, Reed had given up 16 hits, five runs (all earned) walked three, struck out 11, and allowed one home run between March 31 and May 18.</span></li>
</ul>
<p><b>WIN PROBABILITY GRAPH:</b></p>
<p><iframe src="http://www.fangraphs.com/graphframe.aspx?config=0&static=0&type=livewins&num=0&h=450&w=450&date=2014-06-16&team=Tigers&dh=0" scrolling="no" style="border:1px solid black;" frameborder="0" height="450" width="450"></iframe><br><span>Source: <a href="http://www.fangraphs.com/livewins.aspx?date=2014-06-16&team=Tigers&dh=0&season=2014">FanGraphs</a></span></p>
<p><b> </b></p>
<p><b>ROLL CALL:</b></p>
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" border="1">
<thead>
<tr>
<th colspan="2">Roll Call Info</th>
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<td width="150">Total comments</td>
<td>560</td>
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<td>Total commenters</td>
<td>47</td>
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<tr>
<td>Commenter list</td>
<td>
<a href="http://www.sbnation.com/users/Alex%20Baker">Alex Baker</a>, <a href="http://www.sbnation.com/users/Arvay7">Arvay7</a>, <a href="http://www.sbnation.com/users/Bent82">Bent82</a>, <a href="http://www.sbnation.com/users/BigAl">BigAl</a>, <a href="http://www.sbnation.com/users/C5wynn">C5wynn</a>, <a href="http://www.sbnation.com/users/Combo%20Guard%20City">Combo Guard City</a>, <a href="http://www.sbnation.com/users/DJ%20Screw">DJ Screw</a>, <a href="http://www.sbnation.com/users/Dark%20Patriot">Dark Patriot</a>, <a href="http://www.sbnation.com/users/Emil%20Sitka">Emil Sitka</a>, <a href="http://www.sbnation.com/users/Grand%20Rapids%20Howie">Grand Rapids Howie</a>, <a href="http://www.sbnation.com/users/House%20by%20the%20Side%20of%20the%20Road">House by the Side of the Road</a>, <a href="http://www.sbnation.com/users/J_the_Man">J_the_Man</a>, <a href="http://www.sbnation.com/users/JimWalewander">JimWalewander</a>, <a href="http://www.sbnation.com/users/JoeK5">JoeK5</a>, <a href="http://www.sbnation.com/users/Keith-Allen">Keith-Allen</a>, <a href="http://www.sbnation.com/users/Kevin%20Walsh">Kevin Walsh</a>, <a href="http://www.sbnation.com/users/Kwisatz%20Haderach">Kwisatz Haderach</a>, <a href="http://www.sbnation.com/users/MSUDersh">MSUDersh</a>, <a href="http://www.sbnation.com/users/Michigan%26TrumbullinLA">Michigan&TrumbullinLA</a>, <a href="http://www.sbnation.com/users/NCDee">NCDee</a>, <a href="http://www.sbnation.com/users/Naysayer%20N%20San%20Diego">Naysayer N San Diego</a>, <a href="http://www.sbnation.com/users/Rafael%20Tigers">Rafael Tigers</a>, <a href="http://www.sbnation.com/users/Rob%20Rogacki">Rob Rogacki</a>, <a href="http://www.sbnation.com/users/SanDiegoMick">SanDiegoMick</a>, <a href="http://www.sbnation.com/users/ShowingBunt">ShowingBunt</a>, <a href="http://www.sbnation.com/users/Singledigit">Singledigit</a>, <a href="http://www.sbnation.com/users/SpartanHT">SpartanHT</a>, <a href="http://www.sbnation.com/users/Starsailor">Starsailor</a>, <a href="http://www.sbnation.com/users/TheLegacyofJordanTata">TheLegacyofJordanTata</a>, <a href="http://www.sbnation.com/users/Thorpac">Thorpac</a>, <a href="http://www.sbnation.com/users/Trout%20Jefferson">Trout Jefferson</a>, <a href="http://www.sbnation.com/users/Verlanderful">Verlanderful</a>, <a href="http://www.sbnation.com/users/aelix">aelix</a>, <a href="http://www.sbnation.com/users/ap62">ap62</a>, <a href="http://www.sbnation.com/users/draykov44">draykov44</a>, <a href="http://www.sbnation.com/users/forthewin234">forthewin234</a>, <a href="http://www.sbnation.com/users/frisbeepilot">frisbeepilot</a>, <a href="http://www.sbnation.com/users/fxct">fxct</a>, <a href="http://www.sbnation.com/users/ja_zz">ja_zz</a>, <a href="http://www.sbnation.com/users/knucklescarbone">knucklescarbone</a>, <a href="http://www.sbnation.com/users/lowandoutside">lowandoutside</a>, <a href="http://www.sbnation.com/users/sincecolavito">sincecolavito</a>, <a href="http://www.sbnation.com/users/stevenyc">stevenyc</a>, <a href="http://www.sbnation.com/users/subic%20sailor">subic sailor</a>, <a href="http://www.sbnation.com/users/swish330">swish330</a>, <a href="http://www.sbnation.com/users/texastigerfan">texastigerfan</a>, <a href="http://www.sbnation.com/users/zkello">zkello</a>
</td>
</tr>
<tr class="alt">
<td>Story URLs</td>
<td>
<div><a href="http://www.blessyouboys.com/2014/6/16/5815092/game-66-tigers-vs-royals-7-08-p-m">http://www.blessyouboys.com/2014/6/16/5815092/game-66-tigers-vs-royals-7-08-p-m</a></div>
</td>
</tr>
</tbody>
</table>
<p><b> </b></p>
<p><b>TOP TEN COMMENTERS:</b></p>
<p> </p>
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<th width="20">#</th> <th>Commenter</th> <th># Comments</th>
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<td>1</td>
<td><a href="http://www.sbnation.com/users/SanDiegoMick">SanDiegoMick</a></td>
<td>88</td>
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<tr class="alt">
<td>2</td>
<td><a href="http://www.sbnation.com/users/NCDee">NCDee</a></td>
<td>56</td>
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<td>3</td>
<td><a href="http://www.sbnation.com/users/texastigerfan">texastigerfan</a></td>
<td>46</td>
</tr>
<tr class="alt">
<td>4</td>
<td><a href="http://www.sbnation.com/users/TheLegacyofJordanTata">TheLegacyofJordanTata</a></td>
<td>45</td>
</tr>
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<td>5</td>
<td><a href="http://www.sbnation.com/users/Grand%20Rapids%20Howie">Grand Rapids Howie</a></td>
<td>27</td>
</tr>
<tr class="alt">
<td>6</td>
<td><a href="http://www.sbnation.com/users/SpartanHT">SpartanHT</a></td>
<td>25</td>
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<tr>
<td>7</td>
<td><a href="http://www.sbnation.com/users/Verlanderful">Verlanderful</a></td>
<td>25</td>
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<tr class="alt">
<td>8</td>
<td><a href="http://www.sbnation.com/users/Bent82">Bent82</a></td>
<td>23</td>
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<td>9</td>
<td><a href="http://www.sbnation.com/users/DJ%20Screw">DJ Screw</a></td>
<td>21</td>
</tr>
<tr class="alt">
<td>10</td>
<td><a href="http://www.sbnation.com/users/Combo%20Guard%20City">Combo Guard City</a></td>
<td>19</td>
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<td><br></td>
<td><br></td>
<td><br></td>
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<p><b>TOP RECS:</b></p>
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<th width="20">#</th> <th>Commenter</th> <th># Comments</th>
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<td>1</td>
<td><a href="http://www.sbnation.com/users/SanDiegoMick">SanDiegoMick</a></td>
<td>88</td>
</tr>
<tr class="alt">
<td>2</td>
<td><a href="http://www.sbnation.com/users/NCDee">NCDee</a></td>
<td>56</td>
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<td>3</td>
<td><a href="http://www.sbnation.com/users/texastigerfan">texastigerfan</a></td>
<td>46</td>
</tr>
<tr class="alt">
<td>4</td>
<td><a href="http://www.sbnation.com/users/TheLegacyofJordanTata">TheLegacyofJordanTata</a></td>
<td>45</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>5</td>
<td><a href="http://www.sbnation.com/users/Grand%20Rapids%20Howie">Grand Rapids Howie</a></td>
<td>27</td>
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<tr class="alt">
<td>6</td>
<td><a href="http://www.sbnation.com/users/SpartanHT">SpartanHT</a></td>
<td>25</td>
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<td>7</td>
<td><a href="http://www.sbnation.com/users/Verlanderful">Verlanderful</a></td>
<td>25</td>
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<td>8</td>
<td><a href="http://www.sbnation.com/users/Bent82">Bent82</a></td>
<td>23</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>9</td>
<td><a href="http://www.sbnation.com/users/DJ%20Screw">DJ Screw</a></td>
<td>21</td>
</tr>
<tr class="alt">
<td>10</td>
<td><a href="http://www.sbnation.com/users/Combo%20Guard%20City">Combo Guard City</a></td>
<td>19</td>
</tr>
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</tr>
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<p> </p>
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" border="1">
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<th width="60"># Recs</th> <th>Commenter</th> <th>Comment Link</th>
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<td>6</td>
<td><a href="http://www.sbnation.com/users/NCDee">NCDee</a></td>
<td><a href="http://www.blessyouboys.com/2014/6/16/5815092/game-66-tigers-vs-royals-7-08-p-m#240191323">To quote myself:</a></td>
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<tr class="alt">
<td>2</td>
<td><a href="http://www.sbnation.com/users/NCDee">NCDee</a></td>
<td><a href="http://www.blessyouboys.com/2014/6/16/5815092/game-66-tigers-vs-royals-7-08-p-m#240200597">Turning and turning the widening gyre</a></td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>2</td>
<td><a href="http://www.sbnation.com/users/Combo%20Guard%20City">Combo Guard City</a></td>
<td><a href="http://www.blessyouboys.com/2014/6/16/5815092/game-66-tigers-vs-royals-7-08-p-m#240199607">possibilities: ranked by likelyhood</a></td>
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<td>1</td>
<td><a href="http://www.sbnation.com/users/NCDee">NCDee</a></td>
<td><a href="http://www.blessyouboys.com/2014/6/16/5815092/game-66-tigers-vs-royals-7-08-p-m#240194625">Hardy K!</a></td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>1</td>
<td><a href="http://www.sbnation.com/users/NCDee">NCDee</a></td>
<td><a href="http://www.blessyouboys.com/2014/6/16/5815092/game-66-tigers-vs-royals-7-08-p-m#240202369">You might want to start with William Stafford (one of my favorites)</a></td>
</tr>
<tr class="alt">
<td>1</td>
<td><a href="http://www.sbnation.com/users/TheLegacyofJordanTata">TheLegacyofJordanTata</a></td>
<td><a href="http://www.blessyouboys.com/2014/6/16/5815092/game-66-tigers-vs-royals-7-08-p-m#240204723">See for me in the past my thing to enjoy was a BYB gamethread.</a></td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>1</td>
<td><a href="http://www.sbnation.com/users/texastigerfan">texastigerfan</a></td>
<td><a href="http://www.blessyouboys.com/2014/6/16/5815092/game-66-tigers-vs-royals-7-08-p-m#240208901">AG handled that with way more class than anyone could have expected...</a></td>
</tr>
<tr class="alt">
<td>1</td>
<td><a href="http://www.sbnation.com/users/NCDee">NCDee</a></td>
<td><a href="http://www.blessyouboys.com/2014/6/16/5815092/game-66-tigers-vs-royals-7-08-p-m#240208199">[no title]</a></td>
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https://www.blessyouboys.com/2014/6/17/5815988/royals-11-tigers-8-late-inning-rally-not-enough-to-top-royalsCatherine Slonksnis2014-06-16T21:02:04-04:002014-06-16T21:02:04-04:00Torii Hunter leaves game with hamstring cramp
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<img alt="" src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/OVznRmjEJq2o8t25tJoKatriraY=/0x0:3999x2666/1310x873/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/34430627/20140615_krj_aa1_0167.JPG.0.jpg" />
<figcaption>Rick Osentoski-USA TODAY Sports</figcaption>
</figure>
<p>The Tigers right fielder Torii Hunter departed Monday night's game with a right hamstring cramp, and is day-to-day.</p> <p>DETROIT — In the fourth inning, <span>Victor Martinez</span> hit a leadoff single for the <a href="https://www.blessyouboys.com/" class="sbn-auto-link">Tigers</a>' fifth hit of the game.</p>
<p><span>Torii Hunter</span> then stepped to the plate and laced a single to put two aboard. But once at first base, Hunter reached for his right hamstring.</p>
<p>Tigers manager Brad Ausmus and head athletic trainer Kevin Rand immediately came out upon being motioned by Hunter, but instead of being met at the bag, Hunter was already halfway to the dugout.</p>
<p>A visibly frustrated Hunter immediately left the game upon talking to Ausmus and Rand, and was replaced by <span>J.D. Martinez</span> at first base, who pinch ran for Hunter in the fourth and remained in the game.</p>
<p><span>Austin Jackson</span> followed with an RBI single to center field but J.D. Martinez overran the bag at second base, and in his attempt to advance, was putout at second.</p>
<p>Hunter is officially listed as having left the game for a right hamstring cramp, and is listed as day-to-day.</p>
https://www.blessyouboys.com/2014/6/16/5816184/torii-hunter-day-to-day-with-right-hamstring-crampCatherine Slonksnis2014-06-16T09:00:31-04:002014-06-16T09:00:31-04:00Game 66 Preview: Royals at Tigers
<figure>
<img alt="" src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/b_uzsSw1LzMbDRBRzdPyKqTQslI=/0x280:2667x2058/1310x873/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/34395987/495661587.0.jpg" />
<figcaption>Ed Zurga</figcaption>
</figure>
<p>The AL Central lead is up for grabs this week as the Tigers and Royals kick off a four game series at Comerica Park. Justin Verlander and Jason Vargas are tonight's starting pitchers.</p> <h4>
<a href="https://www.royalsreview.com/" class="sbn-auto-link">Kansas City Royals</a> (36-32) at <a href="https://www.blessyouboys.com/" class="sbn-auto-link">Detroit Tigers</a> (36-29)</h4>
<p><b>Time/Place:</b> 7:08 p.m., Comerica Park</p>
<p><b>SB Nation blog:</b> <a target="_blank" href="http://www.royalsreview.com/">Royals Review</a></p>
<p><b>Media:</b> Fox Sports Detroit, <a target="_blank" href="http://mlb.mlb.com/mediacenter/index.jsp?c_id=mlb&affiliateId=mlbMENU#date=6/16/2014">MLB.TV</a>, <a target="_blank" href="http://detroit.tigers.mlb.com/det/schedule/radioaffiliates.jsp">Tigers Radio Network</a></p>
<p><b>Pitching Matchup:</b> LHP <span>Jason Vargas</span> (6-2, 3.30 ERA) vs. RHP <span>Justin Verlander</span> (6-6, 4.61 ERA)</p>
<table border="0">
<tbody>
<tr>
<td>Pitcher</td>
<td>GS</td>
<td>IP</td>
<td>K/9</td>
<td>BB/9</td>
<td>HR/9</td>
<td>WHIP</td>
<td>FIP</td>
<td>SIERA</td>
<td>fWAR</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Vargas</td>
<td>14</td>
<td>92.2</td>
<td>6.51</td>
<td>2.23</td>
<td>1.07</td>
<td>1.21</td>
<td>4.09</td>
<td>4.08</td>
<td>1.1</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Verlander</td>
<td>14</td>
<td>91.2</td>
<td>6.58</td>
<td>3.83</td>
<td>0.69</td>
<td>1.51</td>
<td>3.96</td>
<td>4.63</td>
<td>1.5</td>
</tr>
</tbody>
</table>
<p>Somehow, someway, <span>Jason Vargas</span> has continued to shine at the top of the Royals rotation. While his peripheral numbers are not as sexy as those of <span>James Shields</span> or <span>Yordano Ventura</span>, Vargas leads the team in innings per start and quality starts. This discrepancy between peripherals and actual results is reflected in the team's WAR standings. According to Fangraphs, Vargas ranks fifth on the team with 1.1 WAR. Baseball Reference has a different take, however, and Vargas' 1.8 WAR is easily the Royals' highest total. Considering Vargas has held the opposition to two runs or fewer in nine of his 14 starts, it doesn't really matter how he is getting it done.</p>
<p>There have been a few speed bumps scattered between the sparkling outings, though Vargas has limited the damage compared to years past. The Tigers have seen both sides of Vargas this season. They were held to just one run on five hits in seven innings in the second game of their season, then tagged Vargas for seven runs on 11 hits in five innings at Kauffman Stadium in early May. Vargas had a similar implosion a couple weeks later, coughing up seven runs in a start against the <a href="https://www.southsidesox.com/" class="sbn-auto-link">Chicago White Sox</a>. Since then, he has a 2.25 ERA and 21 strikeouts to 10 walks in his last four starts.</p>
<p>Looking closer, it's hard to see where Vargas has improved compared to years past. His batted ball ratios are nearly identical to his 2013 totals and he isn't stranding an inordinate number of runners compared to previous years. His .279 BABIP is lower than last season's .310, but higher than the .254 he had in 2012. Part of the reason could be slight improvements to his strikeout and walk rates, while part could be explained by his .399 slugging average allowed, his lowest since 2011.</p>
<p>Oh, what could have been. <span>Brad Ausmus</span> has gotten plenty of grief for leaving Justin Verlander on the mound during the sixth inning of his last start, a move that resulted in a seven run inning for the Sox. While it was unlikely that Verlander would have escaped the inning unscathed had Ausmus gone to the pen, it's a fair assumption that the bullpen may have limited the damage. While the end result was disappointing, the first five innings were encouraging. Verlander was inefficient but effective, holding the White Sox to a run on three hits with a pair of walks before his implosion in the sixth. Would the Tigers be better off limiting Verlander to 100 or so pitches at this point? The data seem to support this notion thus far.</p>
<p><b>Hitter to fear:</b> <span>Salvador Perez</span> (.444/.414/.815 in 29 plate appearances)<br><b>Hitter to fail:</b> <span>Mike Moustakas</span> (.154/.175/.231 in 40 plate appearances)</p>
<p>Move over, Billy Butler. There is a new Verlander killer in town. Perez has taken to pummeling Verlander just like his portly predecessor, tallying seven doubles and a home run in 27 at-bats. He has hit well this season as a whole, with a .771 OPS and 23 extra base hits in 245 plate appearances. Billy Butler's numbers are still well below his career norms, but he finally seems to be breaking out. He is hitting .310/.362/.476 in June. Ditto Mike Moustakas, who has a .767 OPS with a pair of home runs since returning from his short stint in the minor leagues. He only has two multi-hit games during this stretch, though.</p>
<h5>Outlook</h5>
<p>The last time Verlander and Vargas squared off, the Tigers were a tour de force en route to the infamous 27-12 record to start the season. They swept the hapless Royals at Kauffman Stadium, extending their division lead to 4 1/2 games at the time. Since then, the Royals are 22-16, including a scalding 10-3 record in the month of June. Vargas has led the way, winning four of his last seven starts since the aforementioned sweep. If he continues to pitch well, the Tigers will need their very best out of Verlander and the bullpen in order to keep pace.</p>
<h5>Prediction</h5>
<p>Verlander runs into more late inning trouble, but the bullpen does not reward Ausmus' quick hook tonight.</p>
https://www.blessyouboys.com/2014/6/16/5813852/2014-game-66-preview-kansas-city-royals-at-detroit-tigersRob Rogacki