A pair of AL Central foes looking to next season open up a series on the diamond in the Motor City. The Kansas City Royals are on the road as they open up a three-game series with the Detroit Tigers Tuesday night. Kansas City comes in off a 13-12 come-from-behind win at home over the Mariners Sunday afternoon in the rubber game of their three-game set. Detroit swept the fading White Sox on the road over the weekend as they took the finale of the set 4-1 Sunday afternoon in their most recent contest. The Royals lead the season series 9-7 but the Tigers took two of three in the most recent series, which came on the road September 9-11.
Kansas City rallied from nine runs down to beat the Mariners in the finale of their three-game set at home Sunday afternoon. The Royals entered Monday fourth in the AL Central race, 23 games behind the Guardians for the top spot in the division. They have been eliminated from playoff contention. On Sunday afternoon, Hunter Dozier (run, two RBI) had three hits while Bobby Witt Jr. (two runs, two RBI), Vinnie Pasquantino (run, RBI), Edward Olivares (three runs, RBI), Michael Massey (two runs, four RBI) and Ryan O’Hearn (run, two RBI) each had two hits in the game. Massey hit the lone long ball for Kansas City, his third of the year, in the victory. Max Castillo didn’t factor in the decision as he threw four innings, allowing six runs on six hits with four walks and four strikeouts. Jose Cuas (4-2) earned the win in relief as he threw 1.1 innings, allowing two runs on two hits with three walks and no strikeouts. Scott Barlow work ed a 1-2-3 ninth, striking out one, for his 24th save of the year.
Zack Greinke is on the mound for his 25th start of the season for the Royals in this contest. He comes in 4-9 with a 4.21 ERA, a 1.387 WHIP, 25 walks and 70 strikeouts over 124 innings of work this season. Greinke didn’t factor in the decision in his last contest, which came against the Twins at home last Tuesday. He threw 5.1 innings, allowing four runs on 10 hits with no walks and three strikeouts in a game the Royals won 5-4. In his last three starts, Greinke is 0-1 with a 4.70 ERA, a 1.63 WHIP, four walks and six strikeouts over 15.1 innings of work. Greinke makes his 32nd career appearance and 29th start against the Tigers in this contest. He comes in 13-8 with a 2.95 ERA, a 1.184 WHIP, 42 walks and 128 strikeouts over 170.2 innings of work against them. Greinke is 8-5 with a 2.55 ERA, a 1.234 WHIP, 29 walks and 69 strik eouts over 88.1 innings in 17 career appearances, 15 starts, at Comerica Park.