Gamethread XIX: Royals at Tigers

Brady Singer will make his fourth start of the season today as the Royals attempt to guarantee a split in the four-game series against the Detroit Tigers. Brady is still looking for his first win but in the tiny sample size that is the 2021 MLB season so far, he’s actually pitching better than his 2020 campaign even though he started his year giving up six runs. So far he has a lower ERA and a FIP that suggests he might have actually been a bit unlucky. He’s striking out more than two extra batters per nine innings and he’s nearly halved the number of home runs he gives up.

But the Royals have not scored a single run for him while he’s on the mound.

The Royals actually won his last time out but Salvador Perez didn’t hit his game-winning two-run shot until after Brady was forced to exit with a high pitch count after going six scoreless innings. Mike Minor showed yesterday that the Tigers can be had if your off-speed stuff is working so hopefully Singer’s slider will be effective today.

The Tigers will counter with their opening day starter, Matt Boyd. Boyd was acquired by the Tigers in 2015 for David Price and now carries a career 4.96 ERA. The lefty has struggled to meet the lofty expectations placed upon him. Now age 30, the Tigers are hoping he’s finally figured something out. He’s made four starts this year averaging more than six innings with a sparking 2.03 ERA. Boyd has faced the Royals a lot, being in the same division for the past six years, and has not fared well against them. He is 7-9 with a 6.05 ERA in 22 starts. The only team he has fared worse against in multiple starts are the Pittsburg Pirates. Against them he has gone 0-2 with an 8,84 ERA in four starts. That said, Boyd faced the Royals three times last year and actually went 2-0 with seven runs allowed in sixteen and two-thirds innings.

All things considered, don’t be surprised if this turns into a pitcher’s duel.

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