Detroit Tigers vs Kansas City Royals Live Stream

Apr 29, 2016; Minneapolis, MN, USA; Detroit Tigers starting pitcher Justin Verlander (35) walks in the dugout before the game with the Minnesota Twins at Target Field. Mandatory Credit: Bruce Kluckhohn-USA TODAY Sports
Apr 29, 2016; Minneapolis, MN, USA; Detroit Tigers starting pitcher Justin Verlander (35) walks in the dugout before the game with the Minnesota Twins at Target Field. Mandatory Credit: Bruce Kluckhohn-USA TODAY Sports

Detroit Tigers baseball will finally return on Friday night, as the team returns to action against the Kansas City Royals. Justin Verlander will look to start the season’s second half on a positive note.

Detroit Tigers players have returned home after the All-Star Break to begin what will hopefully be a successful second half. Justin Verlander will try to get the ball rolling against a franchise he’s notched plenty of wins against in his career.

To be specific, the former MVP and Cy Young award winner has 21 victories in 39 starts versus Kansas City. Over that span, he’s posted a sparkling 3.26 ERA.

Verlander has done well against a number of prominent Kansas City performers throughout his career. Alex Gordon owns a paltry .207 batting average and a .298 on-base percentage versus the Detroit ace, while Alcides Escobar is only hitting .186 versus Verlander. Jarrod Dyson has also struggled against the longtime Tiger, posting a .231 batting average in 26 at-bats.

Despite the struggles of those three, there are Royals hitters who’ve found success against Verlander. Salvador Perez, who has hit .260 each of the past two seasons, is hitting .478 in 46 lifetime at-bats versus the veteran starter. Kendrys Morales sports a .324 batting average in 37 at-bats against the longest-tenured Tiger.

Opposing Verlander on the mound is Ian Kennedy, who has only faced Detroit four times in his career. As such, Tigers hitters haven’t faced him too much.

Cameron Maybin has the most at-bats on the team against the former Diamondback. The center fielder has been pretty successful too, with a .294 batting average, a triple and an RBI against the right-hander.

Additionally, Miguel Cabrera (4-for-10, two RBI, a double a triple and a walk) and Victor Martinez (3-for-9, two RBI) have both found success against Kennedy.

While those numbers look good, they pale in comparison to Ian Kinsler’s success in only nine at-bats versus the Royal’s starter. Detroit’s second baseman has six hits—including four doubles—and three RBI lifetime versus Kennedy. 

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Here’s a look at the lineup that will face Kennedy, per the Tigers’ official Twitter account.

  1. Ian Kinsler, 2B
  2. Cameron Maybin, CF
  3. Miguel Cabrera, 1B
  4. Victor Martinez, DH
  5. Nick Castellanos, 3B
  6. Steven Moya, RF
  7. James McCann, C
  8. Tyler Collins, LF
  9. Jose Iglesias, SS

Collins gets the start in left field after being called up to replace Justin Upton, who was placed on the bereavement list—per the team’s official Twitter account.

So where can you catch tonight’s Detroit Tigers game against the Kansas City Royals? We have all the information you need to know right here so you don’t miss a second of the action.

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Date: 7/15/16
Start Time: 7:10 PM ET
Location: Detroit, Michigan
Arena: Comerica Park
TV Info: Fox Sports Detroit
Live Stream: MLB.TV
Radio: 97.1 The Ticket