Detroit @ Kansas City preview
Kauffman Stadium
Last Meeting ( Jun 5, 2010 ) Detroit 4, Kansas City 2
There are few pitchers in the American League hotter than Jeremy Bonderman.
If only he had the victories to show for it.
Bonderman looks to extend his hot streak this afternoon as he leads the Detroit Tigers into the rubber match of their three-game series with the Kansas City Royals. The Tigers dropped the opener 7-3 Friday night before rebounding with a 4-2 victory on Saturday.
They've been treated to fantastic pitching from Bonderman (2-3), but haven't given him much run support in return. The veteran right-hander has registered six straight quality starts, allowing just eight runs over his last 35 innings. But he has just one victory over that span, a 5-2 triumph over the Oakland Athletics on May 20.
Bonderman was the hard-luck loser five days ago, allowing three runs in eight innings as Detroit dropped a 3-2 decision to the Cleveland Indians. It was the first time he had surrendered more than two runs in a game since April 26.
The Tigers didn't need much offense to even the series Saturday, taking advantage of a solid outing from Justin Verlander. The ace righty kept the Royals off the scoresheet over the first seven innings as Detroit won on the road for just the second time in the last seven games.
Miguel Cabrera was the offensive hero in that one, belting his 17th home run in the sixth inning. The gregarious first baseman is an early-season MVP candidate, ranking among the AL leaders in batting average (.358), homers and RBIs (52).
The Tigers find themselves matched up against a pitcher that has traditionally done well against them. Right-hander Brian Bannister (4-3) is 4-2 with a 2.12 ERA in eight starts all-time against Detroit. He has already faced the Tigers twice this season, allowing just three runs in 12 1/3 innings but settling for a pair of no-decisions.
Bannister struggled in his previous start, allowing three runs on seven hits in 5 1/3 innings, but it was still enough to earn the win as the Royals defeated the Los Angeles Angels 6-3. The 29-year-old has won his last four decisions after registering just one victory over his first seven outings.
The Royals are in tough next week. After enjoying Monday off, they embark on a six-game road trip against the Minnesota Twins and Cincinnati Reds - both leading their respective divisions - before returning home to welcome the Houston Astros.
The Tigers have a much more tolerable schedule coming up. They'll face the White Sox in Chicago before returning to Comerica Park for interleague series against the Pittsburgh Pirates, Washington Nationals and Arizona Diamondbacks.