Detroit Tigers at Kansas City Royals: Game Time, TV/Radio Coverage, Lineup

May 2, 2014; Kansas City, MO, USA; Detroit Tigers catcher

(13) is congratulated by left fielder

(28) after Avila hits a home run in the fourth inning against the Kansas City Royals at Kauffman Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Denny Medley-USA TODAY Sports

The Detroit Tigers have built a three-game lead in the American League Central division (and a 3-0 head-to-head record) over the second-place Kansas City Royals. At .625 the Tigers enter Saturday as owners of the best winning percentage in the American League (2nd to the .700 Milwaukee Brewers in all of MLB).

Detroit Tigers (15-9) at Kansas City Royals (14-14) — 7:10 PM ET

Kauffman Stadium — Kansas City, MO

TV: Fox Sports 1

Radio: 97.1 The Ticket (click for radio affiliates)

Weather: 65 degrees, partly cloudy

When We Last Met

Rick Porcello cruised through seven strong innings and the Tigers bats jumped all over James Shields as Detroit topped Kansas City 8-2 on Friday night. Kid Rick held the Royals to just two runs on four hits (zero walks) in seven innings while striking out six batters. Offensively the Tigers ammased 14 hits, including six for extra bases (five doubles and an Alex Avila home run). Royals starter pitched into the seventh inning, but allowed seven runs in the process.

Pitching Matchup

Drew Smyly will make his third start of the year for the Tigers. He was excellent the last time out against the White Sox, going six innings with seven strikeouts and just two runs allowed on six hits and one walk.

Danny Duffy, a left hander, will make a spot start for the injured Bruce Chen. Duffy was once (and perhaps still is) a promising prospect for the Royals, but he’s been set back by injuries the last couple of seasons. He has made six appearances out of the bullpen for KC this season — and has good numbers overall (2.16 ERA, 11.9 K/9, 2.29 FIP) — but didn’t retire a batter in his last two appearances (five total batters faced).

Tigers Lineup

With a lefty starting the Tigers will shift Rajai Davis into the leadoff spot and platoon Bryan Holaday behind the plate.

1. Rajai Davis, LF
2. Ian Kinsler, 2B
3. Miguel Cabrera, 1B
4. Victor Martinez, DH
5. Torii Hunter, RF
6. Austin Jackson, CF
7. Nick Castellanos, 3B
8. Bryan Holaday, C
9. Danny Worth, SS

Injuries 

Tigers:

• Anibal Sanchez – 15-day DL
• Luke Putkonen – 15-day DL
• Joel Hanrahan – 15-day DL
• Andy Dirks – 60-day DL
• Jose Iglesias – 60-day DL
• Bruce Rondon – 60-day DL

Royals:

• Bruce Chen – Day-to-day (back)
• Kyle Zimmer – Day-to-day (shoulder)
• Lorenzo Cain – 15-day DL
• Tim Collins – 15-day DL
• Francisley Bueno – 15-day DL