Kansas City @ Detroit preview

Last Meeting ( Mar 31, 2014 ) Kansas City 3, Detroit 4

Max Scherzer recently turned down a six-year, $144 million contract offer and insists it won’t have a bearing on his performance when he starts against the visiting Kansas City Royals on Wednesday. “I’m here to pitch and win,” the 2013 American League Cy Young winner told reporters. “I’m here to help get the team to the postseason. That’s the only thing on my plate right now. All the off-field stuff takes care of itself off the field, but everything on the field stays the same.”

The Tigers defeated the Royals 4-3 in Monday’s season opener as recent acquisition Alex Gonzalez stroked the seventh walkoff hit of his career in the bottom of the ninth inning. Kansas City catcher Salvador Perez got off to a strong 4-for-4 start, joining Lou Piniella (1969), Amos Otis (1977) and Freddie Patek (1979) as the only Royals to rack up four hits on Opening Day. Kansas City added outfielder Norichika Aoki and second baseman Omar Infante to spruce up the top of the order and the two were a combined 0-for-9 in the opener.

TV: 1:08 p.m. ET, FSN Kansas City, FSN Detroit

PITCHING MATCHUP: Royals LH Jason Vargas (2013: 9-8, 4.02 ERA) vs. Tigers RH Max Scherzer (21-3, 2.90)

Vargas signed a four-year, $32 million deal as a free agent and the Royals are hoping he can approach his career-best 14-win campaign for Seattle in 2012. He had mixed results last season with the Los Angeles Angels and missed part of the season due to a blood clot in his arm. Vargas is 2-1 with a 4.60 ERA in five career starts against Detroit.

Scherzer has emerged as one of the top pitchers in baseball and has a splendid 52-19 mark over the past three seasons. Pitching at Comerica Park has been a big help as Scherzer is 35-12 in 63 career starts at his home ballpark. Scherzer is 9-4 with a 3.44 ERA in 17 career starts against Kansas City after winning all three decisions against the Royals in 2013.

WALK-OFFS

1. Kansas City led 3-1 in the seventh on Monday before letting the lead get away after going 67-6 last season when leading by two or more runs in the seventh inning or later.

2. Tigers 1B Miguel Cabrera was 1-of-3 in the opener and is four hits away from reaching 2,000 for his career.

3. Royals OF Alex Gordon is batting .393 with two homers and three doubles in 28 career at-bats against Scherzer.

PREDICTION: Tigers 4, Royals 1