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

May 3, 2014; Kansas City, MO, USA; Detroit Tigers first baseman Miguel Cabrera (front) is congratulated by third baseman Nick Castellanos (laughing) after scoring against the Kansas City Royals in the fourth inning at Kauffman Stadium. Mandatory Credit: John Rieger-USA TODAY Sports

After securing the series victory last night the Detroit Tigers aim to make it a sweep (and a perfect 5-0 start to the season) against the division rival Kansas City Royals

Detroit Tigers (16-9) at Kansas City Royals (14-15) — 2:10 PM ET

Kauffman Stadium — Kansas City, MO

TV: Fox Sports Detroit

Radio: 97.1 The Ticket (click for radio affiliates)

Weather: 77 degrees, sunny

When We Last Met

Drew Smyly was brilliant and the bats bats broke out for the second-straight night as the Tigers trampled the Royals 9-2 on Saturday. Smyly kept the Royals off the board for seven magnificent innings while allowing just four baserunners: one single, one double, and two walks to go with six strikeouts.

Offensively it was a barrage. All nine Detroit starters got into the hit column, and seven of the nine tallied an extra-base hit. In all it was a 12-hit, 9-run affair for the good guys.

Pitching Matchup

Justin Verlander looks to continue his fine start to the year for the Tigers. In 40 innings (six starts) he’s posted a 2.48 ERA and 3.04 FIP. His xFIP is a more questionable 4.40, so he could be in more trouble if his fly balls start leaving the yard at a more normalized rate. He could counteract that by continuing to increase his strikeout rate which currently stands at just seven per nine innings.

Jason Vargas will get the start for the Royals. He’s gotten outstanding results on the year (2.40 ERA), but his 3.94 FIP and 4.22 xFIP suggest he’s actually pitched at a more average rate than the ERA line suggests. Vargas pitched very well against the Tigers back on opening week when he went seven innings with one run allowed (a home run) on six strikeouts and just one walk and five hits.

Tigers Lineup

The Royals send another lefty to the mound so Rajai Davis will remain in the leadoff spot. Alex Avila, however, will re-enter the lineup after Bryan Holaday played last night.

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. Alex Avila (C)
9. Andrew Romine (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