Kansas City @ Detroit preview

Last Meeting ( Aug 29, 2018 ) Detroit 2, Kansas City 9

The Detroit Tigers will try to snap a seven-game home losing streak when they begin a four-game series against the visiting Kansas City Royals on Thursday. The Tigers managed just four hits in an 8-2 loss to the Minnesota Twins on Wednesday, suffering their second straight three-game sweep at Comerica Park.

Detroit was 15-for-92 in the series with the Twins and it has averaged 2.57 runs during the seven-game home slide, which matches a skid in the Motor City to end the 2017 campaign. The Royals have lost four in a row, the last three coming in Pittsburgh - each by one run. Jorge Lopez exited his last start with a left rib contusion after a collision with teammate Hunter Dozier but he is expected to be ready for this one for Kansas City. He will be opposed by Detroit's Matthew Boyd, who has had loads of issues in his career against the Royals.

TV: 7:10 p.m. ET, FS Kansas City, FS Detroit

PITCHING MATCHUP: Royals RH Jorge Lopez (2-4, 3.93 ERA) vs. Tigers LH Matthew Boyd (9-12, 4.08)

Lopez gave up three runs and a season-high nine hits over 4 1/3 innings of a no-decision against the Minnesota Twins on Friday. That came six days after he took a perfect game into the ninth versus the Twins before settling for eight-plus innings of one-run ball. The 25-year-old is 2-0 with a 2.33 ERA in three starts this month while recording 13 strikeouts against one walk.

Boyd will be making his 30th start for the first time in his career and is ending the season on a strong note. He is 1-0 with a 2.95 ERA in three September starts while producing 24 strikeouts in 18 1/3 innings. Whit Merrifield is 10-for-23 with three doubles against the Oregon State product, who is 3-7 with a 6.50 ERA in 13 career starts versus Kansas City.

WALK-OFFS

1. Tigers 3B Jeimer Candelario is day-to-day after leaving Tuesday's game with a lumbar spine spasm.

2. Royals 2B-SS Adalberto Mondesi is 16-for-41 with three homers and eight RBIs over his last nine games.

3. Kansas City needs one win in the set to clinch the season series for the fourth straight time.

PREDICTION: Tigers 4, Royals 3