Kansas City Royals (41-74, fourth in the AL Central) vs. Detroit Tigers (33-78, fifth in the AL Central)
Detroit; Thursday, 7 p.m. EDT
PITCHING PROBABLES: Royals: Jorge Lopez (1-7, 6.19 ERA) Tigers: Matthew Boyd (6-8, 3.91 ERA)
BOTTOM LINE: Detroit will host Kansas City in a matchup of division foes.
The Tigers are 15-31 against the rest of their division. Detroit has a team on-base percentage of .292, last in the American League. Miguel Cabrera leads the club with a mark of .341.
The Royals are 22-34 against division opponents. Kansas City hitters have posted a team on-base percentage of .308 this season, led by Hunter Dozier with a mark of .363.
TOP PERFORMERS: Niko Goodrum leads the Tigers with 37 extra base hits and is batting .251. Jordy Mercer is 11-for-30 with a double, two home runs and four RBIs over the last 10 games for Detroit.
Whit Merrifield leads the Royals with 145 hits and has 55 RBIs. Jorge Soler is 13-for-35 with three doubles, four home runs and seven RBIs over the last 10 games for Kansas City.
LAST 10 GAMES: Tigers: 3-7, .269 batting average, 5.03 ERA, outscored by seven runs
Royals: 2-8, .231 batting average, 6.28 ERA, outscored by 30 runs
Tigers Injuries: Jordan Zimmermann: 10-day IL (neck), Tyson Ross: 60-day IL (nerve), Matt Moore: 60-day IL (knee), Michael Fulmer: 60-day IL (elbow), Christin Stewart: 7-day IL (concussion), Josh Harrison: 60-day IL (hamstring), Jeimer Candelario: 10-day IL (thumb), Grayson Greiner: 60-day IL (back).
Royals Injuries: Trevor Oaks: 60-day IL (hip), Jesse Hahn: 60-day IL (elbow), Danny Duffy: 10-day IL (hamstring), Adalberto Mondesi: 10-day IL (shoulder), Salvador Perez: 60-day IL (elbow).
