Royals at Tigers
Someone will get their first victory of the season when the Detroit Tigers host the Kansas City Royals on Monday afternoon in the opener of their three-game series. Both teams were unable to take advantage of beginning the year at home, as Kansas City lost two games to the Chicago White Sox while Detroit was swept of a three-game set by Pittsburgh.
Detroit had a win wiped off the board on Opening Day when the apparent winning run was overturned by replay, leading to a 13-10 loss in 13 innings. The Tigers dropped both ends of a doubleheader on Sunday for their first 0-3 start since losing their first seven games in 2008. The Royals lost two straight to the White Sox before the finale of the scheduled three-game set was rained out on Sunday. Kansas City’s pitching staff will look forward to seeing someone else after Chicago launched seven home runs in the two contests.
TV: 1:10 p.m. ET, FS Kansas City, FS Detroit
PITCHING MATCHUP: Royals RH Jason Hammel (2017: 8-13, 5.29) vs. Tigers LH Francisco Liriano (2017: 6-7, 5.66)
Hammel is coming off his worst season since his 2007 rookie campaign, but he went 1-0 with a 4.13 ERA in five meetings with the Tigers in 2017. The 35-year-old is 2-0 with a 4.94 ERA in six career games (four starts) at Comerica Park. Hammel went 0-3 last April, but he’s typically a quick starter as he has gone 21-13 with a 3.99 ERA in March and April during his career.
Liriano is pitching for his sixth different team since 2012 and looking to bounce back after posting his highest ERA since 2009. His new home hasn’t been kind to him, as the 34-year-old is 4-7 with a 5.80 ERA in 15 career games (12 starts) at Comerica Park. Liriano has fared slightly better against the Royals, going 7-5 with a 4.36 ERA in 19 contests (16 starts) - including a win last season.
WALK-OFFS
1. Royals OF Jon Jay, who is 4-for-11 against Liriano, has led off with a single and scored in each of his first two games and is 3-for-5 when leading off innings.
2. Tigers 1B Miguel Cabrera is 7-for-20 with a pair of doubles versus Hammel.
3. Kansas City’s bullpen has allowed 12 runs and 11 hits - four homers - over eight innings.