Royals at Tigers
The Detroit Tigers have opened the campaign with back-to-back walkoff victories and look to complete a three-game sweep of visiting Kansas City in Thursday’s series finale. Recent signee Alex Gonzalez delivered the game-winning hit in the ninth inning of Monday’s Opening Day win and offseason acquisition Ian Kinsler drilled the decisive hit in the 10th inning of Wednesday’s contest. Reigning American League ERA champion Anibal Sanchez takes the mound in the finale for Detroit.
The Royals have scored just four runs in the series and rallied to force extra innings on Wednesday before succumbing 2-1 in the 10th. Four players have combined for 11 of Kansas City’s 13 hits in the series as stalwarts such as Alex Gordon (1-of-6) and Billy Butler (1-for-7) have struggled and new leadoff hitter Nori Aoki is hitless in nine at-bats. Kinsler had three of Detroit’s six hits on Wednesday and slugger Miguel Cabrera is 1-for-7 in the series.
TV: 1:08 p.m. ET, FSN Kansas City, FSN Detroit
PITCHING MATCHUP: Royals RH Yordano Ventura (2013: 0-1, 3.52 ERA) vs. Tigers RH Anibal Sanchez (14-8, 2.57)
Ventura made three starts late last season and struck out 11 and gave up three homers in 15 1/3 innings. His fastball often reaches 100 mph and the 22-year-old also mixes in a solid curveball and a deceptive changeup. Ventura struck out 23 and walked six in 23 1/3 spring training innings.
Sanchez dealt with shoulder issues during the spring and manager Brad Ausmus indicated his pitch count will be watched closely. He had little trouble shutting down the Royals last season when he went 2-1 with a 1.33 ERA in 20 1/3 innings over three starts. Overall, Sanchez is 3-2 with a 1.00 ERA in five career starts against Kansas City.
WALK-OFFS
1. Gordon went 4-for-9 against Sanchez last season and is 5-for-15 overall.
2. Detroit RHP Joe Nathan blew his first save opportunity with the team on Wednesday. Ironically, he was 19-of-19 against the Tigers at Comerica Field prior to joining the team in the offseason.
3. Royals C Salvador Perez is 5-for-7 over the first two games but is hitless in nine career at-bats against Sanchez.