Kansas City @ Detroit preview

Last Meeting ( Aug 15, 2013 ) Kansas City 1, Detroit 4

As Prince Fielder rediscovered his power stroke in the series opener, the Detroit Tigers attempt to further cool off the visiting Kansas City Royals when the division rivals play a doubleheader on Friday. Fielder’s towering two-run homer on Thursday was his first since July 24, ending a 19-game drought, as the Tigers posted a 4-1 victory in the opener of the five-game series. Detroit is 6 1/2 games ahead of the Cleveland Indians in the American League Central.

Kansas City has lost three straight contests following a 17-3 run and stands 8 1/2 games behind Detroit and 5 1/2 in back of the Oakland Athletics for the AL’s second wild-card spot. The Royals have scored just three runs during their skid after registering at least five a total of 10 times during the 20-game hot stretch. Detroit’s Andy Dirks got a start in the leadoff spot with Austin Jackson not in the starting lineup and went 4-for-4 with two runs scored on Thursday.

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

PITCHING MATCHUP: Royals LH Danny Duffy (0-0, 4.91 ERA) vs. Tigers RH Justin Verlander (12-8, 3.57)

Duffy has made one major-league start this season, lasting just 3 2/3 innings while giving up two runs and six hits against the Minnesota Twins on August 7. That outing was his first in the majors since undergoing Tommy John elbow surgery 15 months ago. Duffy is 0-3 with a 5.16 ERA in four career starts versus Detroit.

Verlander is 0-1 with a 2.75 ERA in three starts against Kansas City this season after dominating the Royals for most of his career. He is 15-3 with a 2.74 ERA and 1.14 WHIP in 26 career outings versus Kansas City. Verlander has won his last two decisions but wasn’t the pitcher of record in his last start, when he gave up four runs and seven hits in seven innings against the New York Yankees.

WALK-OFFS

1. Kansas City 1B Eric Hosmer recorded two hits on Thursday for his ninth multi-hit performance in his last 13 games.

2. Tigers OF Torii Hunter drove in a run in the series opener, his 112th career RBI against Kansas City.

3. Royals DH Billy Butler is batting .424 with two homers and 10 RBIs in 59 career at-bats against Verlander.

PREDICTION: Tigers 9, Royals 3