Kansas City (57-60) at Detroit (63-54)
When: Monday, August 15th 2016
Where: Comerica Park, Detroit, MI
Time: 7:10 ET | TV: ESPN
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The Kansas City Royals are trying to make a push toward .500 before they can even think about defending their American League title again, while the Detroit Tigers are inching closer to the second Wild Card. The two clubs will begin a three-game series Monday night at Comerica Park in Detroit. The Tigers ended a five-game losing streak over the weekend by shutting out the Texas Rangers on Saturday and Sunday. The Detroit pitching staff has allowed three runs or fewer in five of the last seven games but only managed two wins in that span as the offense averaged just three runs. Detroit is just a game and a half behind the Red Sox in the AL Wild Card race. The Royals might be relegated to play spoilers down the stretch unless they can get hot quick. They have won four of their last six after yesterday’s 11-4 drubbing of Minnesota. Paulo Orlando is 8-for-14 in his last three games and has recorded multiple hits in seven of the last ten. Kansas City is still seven games out of a playoff spot.
Pitchers: Royals – Ian Kennedy (6-9, 3.91 ERA) | Tigers – Daniel Norris (1-0, 4.00)
Ian Kennedy hasn’t recorded a win in his last eight starts, but has been pitching well of late surrendering just two runs in his last three starts covering 19.1 innings. Kennedy allowed one run and four hits in 5.1 innings without factoring in the decision at Detroit on July 15th and lost to the Tigers on April 20th despite allowing only two runs in 6.1 innings.
Daniel Norris will be making his fifth start of the season and his pitching well since his first start on June 23rd against Seattle. He allowed one run and seven hits in 5+ innings at Seattle on Tuesday, but received a no-decision. Norris is seeing Kansas City for the first time this season and is trying to improve on his 1-0 record and 4.50 ERA at home.
The Tigers finally got their bats going over the weekend and will be ready to put this Kansas City team to bed. The Royals own the second-worst road record in all of baseball at 21-39, while Detroit is 33-21 at home. The Tigers will hit Kennedy tonight and Norris will do just enough to earn the win.
Pick: Tigers -1.5 +140
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