Detroit Tigers at Kansas City Royals: Game 153 Preview, Lineup and TV/Radio Coverage

Sep 17, 2014; Minneapolis, MN, USA; Detroit Tigers designated hitter V. Martinez (41) hits a single in the fifth inning against the Minnesota Twins at Target Field. Mandatory Credit: Jesse Johnson-USA TODAY Sports

Detroit Tigers (84-68) at  Kansas City Royals(83-68) — 8:10 p.m. ET

Kauffman Stadium — Kansas City, MO

TV: Fox Sports Detroit, ESPN2

Radio: 97.1 The Ticket (click for affiliates)

Weather: 81 degrees, Clear

Game Note: Alex Avila is once again missing from the lineup. Rookie catcher James McCann gets his first start.

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When We Last Met

 The Detroit Tigers took three of four from the Royals earlier this month at Comerica Park, and finish their season series starting tonight in Kansas City. In what is clearly the most important series of the season, the first spot in the American League Central will almost certainly be decided with these three upcoming games.

Starting Pitching

Justin Verlander(13-12, 4.81 ERA) was not the pitcher of record in his last start in Cleveland, going five and two thirds innings and giving up three runs on six hits and three walks. Verlander has improved since his game off but he is still no where near the level we’ve become accustomed to. He is 18-7 with a 3.23 ERA in 228.1 innings pitched in his career against the Royals.

Jason Vargas(11-9, 3.41 ERA)  took a loss in his last start, pitching five and a third innings and giving up five runs on four hits and a walk. He is 3-3 with a 4.86 ERA in his career against the Detroit Tigers.

Tigers’ Lineup

1. Ian Kinsler-2B
2. Torii Hunter-RF
3. Miguel Cabrera-1B
4. Victor Martinez-DH
5. J.D. Martinez-LF
6. Nick Castellanos-3B
7. James McCann-C
8. Eugenio Suarez-SS
9. Rajai Davis – CF

Injuries

Deroit Tigers

• Alex Avila – Day to day
• Anibal Sanchez – 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