Detroit @ Kansas City preview

Last Meeting ( Sep 6, 2013 ) Detroit 16, Kansas City 2

With the Detroit Tigers nursing a healthy lead in the American League Central, one issue on the horizon for manager Jim Leyland is how to slot his pitching rotation for the postseason. Justin Verlander, normally a given to start the opener of any playoff series over the past few seasons, can provide some clarity for Leyland when he takes the mound Saturday against the host Kansas City Royals. Verlander is having his worst season since 2008 but is coming off a promising outing.

The Royals attempt to recover from Friday's 16-2 mauling that featured a season-high 26 hits by the Tigers, but Verlander has been a nemesis for them throughout his career. The 2011 Cy Young Award winner is 15-4 with a 2.71 ERA in 27 career starts against Kansas City, but two of those losses have come this season. Billy Butler has a five-game hitting streak and four-game RBI string for the Royals, who are 4 1/2 games behind Tampa Bay for the second AL wild card.

TV: 7:10 p.m. ET, MLB Network, FSN (Detroit)

PITCHING MATCHUP: Tigers RH Justin Verlander (12-10, 3.59 ERA) vs. Royals LH Danny Duffy (2-0, 1.35)

Verlander broke out of his rut with seven scoreless innings against Cleveland last time out, but he did not factor in the decision and ran his winless streak to five starts. It was the first scoreless outing since July 14 for Verlander, who was knocked around for 11 runs and 14 hits in his previous two starts. Verlander lost at home to the Royals on Aug. 16 despite limiting them to two runs over seven frames.

Duffy had an erratic performance in his last start, giving up only one run but walking four and lasting only 3 2/3 innings against Seattle. He was superb in his previous outing, striking out seven over 6 2/3 scoreless frames, and has permitted only three runs in his four starts this season. Duffy outdueled Verlander in Detroit on Aug. 16, giving up only one hits in six scoreless innings.

WALK-OFFS

1. Tigers 2B Omar Infante on Friday became the seventh player in franchise history with five hits and six RBIs in one game.

2. Royals CF Lorenzo Cain was hitless in two at-bats in his return to the lineup after missing nearly a month with a strained oblique.

3. Tigers CF Austin Jackson is batting .414 (12-for-29) with seven RBIs during his seven-game hitting streak.

PREDICTION: Tigers 4, Royals 3