Detroit Tigers vs Kansas City Royals: Game 145 Preview, TV/Radio Coverage, Lineup

Detroit Tigers (79-65) vs Kansas City Royals (79-63) — 7:08 p.m. ET

Comerica Park — Detroit, MI

TV: Fox Sports Detroit, MLB Network

Radio: 97.1 The Ticket (click for affiliates)

Weather:  74 degrees, clear

More from Detroit Tigers News

• Detroit Tigers: Victor Reyes finding ways to get the job done
• The Detroit Tigers must cut their losses and release Jonathan Schoop
• Detroit Tigers: Garrett Hill’s new role and changed delivery are excellent
• Detroit Tigers: Joe Jiménez has rebounded in 2022
• Detroit Tigers: Is it finally time to move the fences in at Comerica Park?

Game Notes

The Detroit Tigers will look to continue their dominance over the Kansas City Royals this season and draw even in the AL Central race when the teams resume their series tonight at Comerica Park. Thus far in the season series, the Tigers have won 10 of 14 games, outscoring them by 28 runs.

When We Last Met

The Tigers improved to 4-3 at home against the Royals this year with a 9-5 victory on Monday afternoon. Justin Verlander had a nice outing, and would have emerged with allowing only three runs if it were not for the collision in right field by Don Kelly and Torii Hunter which resulted in a Lorenzo Cain inside the park homer.

Pitching Matchup 

The Tigers will put their faith in Max Scherzer (15-5, 3.25) to pull them even in the standings and claim their third straight victory on Tuesday. Max has been a bit shaky over his last few starts, allowing three runs or more in four straight (1-1 with two no-decisions). His last time out, Scherzer allowed three runs (two earned) on four hits in six innings. He was a tad more wild than usual, allowing three walks and received a no-decision in the Tigers’ 11-inning 11-4 victory over the Indians on Thursday.

Max has not faced the Royals since they hung a 10-spot on him on June 17, the worst start of his career. In his only other start against Kansas City this year, he earned a no-decision in the second game of the year, April 2, when the Tigers walked off with a 2-1 victory.

Jason Vargas (11-7, 3.14) has experienced mixed results against Detroit this year. He is 1-1 in three starts with a 3.81 ERA, but was torched for seven runs on May 4. His last time out against the Tigers, he limiting them to two runs on seven hits over seven innings. Vargas snapped a personal two-game losing streak by shutting out the Texas Rangers through 6.2 innings of a 4-1 Royals’ win last Wednesday.

Detroit Tigers Lineup 

1. Ian Kinsler-2B
2. Torii Hunter-RF
3. Miguel Cabrera-DH
4. Victor Martinez-1B
5. J.D. Martinez-LF
6. Nick Castellanos-3B
7. Alex Avila-C
8. Andrew Romine-SS
9. Rajai Davis-CF

Injuries

Tigers

• Anibal Sanchez – 15-day DL
• Joakim Soria – 15-day DL
• Luke Putkonen – Out indefinitely
• Andy Dirks – Out indefinitely
• Joel Hanrahan – 60-day DL
• Jose Iglesias – Out for season
• Bruce Rondon – Out for season

Royals

• Danny Duffy – Day-to-Day
• Christian Colon – Out indefinitely
• Michael Mariot – 60-day DL
• Luke Hochevar – Out for season