The Tigers are playing well but just can\u2019t seem to catch and pass the White Sox like everyone expects they will (eventually they will run out of season). <\/p>\n
Detroit Tigers vs Kansas City Royals PITCHING MATCHUP:<\/strong>\u00a0Tigers RH Justin Verlander (12-7, 2.50 ERA) vs. Royals RH Luis Mendoza (7-9, 4.26)<\/p>\n Matchup<\/a>\u00a0|\u00a0Preview<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n Detroit<\/strong><\/p>\n They have won 7 of 10 heading into Kansas City Tuesday night and have just owned the Royals this season going 7-1 to date. \u00a0The majority of those games were tight affairs though so they might not be such a strong indicator, especially with KC playing much better these days.<\/p>\n Ace Justin Verlander is enjoying another very good season and is certainly in the mix for another Cy Young award. \u00a0Last time out he dominated Toronto, striking out 12 Jays in a complete game victory.<\/p>\n Equally impressive was how he needed just 115 pitches for the game, quite low considering the strikeout totals. \u00a0Verlander has faced KC twice this season with a 1-0 record giving up just 4 runs in 17 innings.<\/p>\n He is always a tough beat.\u00a0[dfads params=’groups=10&limit=1&return_javascript=0′]<\/p>\n Kansas City<\/strong><\/p>\n I am sure that like me, nobody else noticed the Royals catching and passing the Cleveland Indians for third in the AL Central. \u00a0Given their record and the competition that is hardly a huge feat but still an indicator that the team may be improving…finally.<\/p>\n Boston may have roughed them up on the weekend but there are indicators that the pitching is improving…at least to mediocrity in most cases.<\/p>\n Its a start.<\/p>\n An example of that improvement (bare with me) is Luis Mendoza. \u00a0You might not know it but Mendoza has become somewhat a model of consistency. \u00a0Through 18 starts he has only once given up more than 4 runs in an outing – the same number of times as Verlander.<\/p>\n Now I am not saying he is of JV\u2019s quality but he is keeping his team in the game.<\/p>\n Mendoza has yet to face the Tigers so whatever mystery he has might still be in the tank.<\/p>\n
\nTuesday August 28
\nKauffmann Stadium – Kansas City, MO
\n8:10PM
\nMoneyline: \u00a0Detroit -190, Kansas City +180
\nO\/U: 7.5<\/strong><\/p>\n