Monday Game Thread: Tigers at Royals

Thankfully the Royals have left the state of California and are back home as their divisional foe the Detroit Tigers come to town.

Brad Keller toes the slab for the Royals who is looking for a comeback start after exiting in the sixth inning against the Angels allowing 5 runs. Though he has had a disappointing season thus far for the “ace” of the staff, Keller has been much better of late. He has a 4.22 ERA in 49 innings over his last nine starts with 46 strikeouts and 20 walks.

This is just Keller’s second start against the Tigers this year. In the first match up, Keller went 6 innings allowing two runs back in late April.

For the Tigers, Matthew Boyd will face the Royals for what feels like the 700th time during his career. Actually this is just the left-hander’s fourth start against KC this year. The first two outings, Boyd definitely had the Royals’ number, both of which were in Detroit. The third start however took place in Kauffman, was a different story with the Royals scoring 5 runs in 5 innings.

This has been a trend for Boyd this season. At home, he has just a 2.47 ERA. While away from Detroit he has a 5.47 ERA. Hopefully this patterns continues for him tonight in Kansas City.

It is always a tough day for fans and a team when the hottest hitter goes to the injured list, but somehow the Royals will need other guys to step up during Andrew Benintendi’s absence because of a rib hairline fracture.

Edward Olivares makes his way back into the Royals order replacing Benintendi. It is well noted how successful he has been in AAA Omaha this year, but in the chances he has had with the big club Olivares has done well as well hitting .278.

First pitch at Kauffman Stadium is at 7:10 CDT.

Line Ups