Royals turn to Duffy, look to get back to their winning ways
DETROIT -- Fulmer, Norris and Boyd.
Not quite a law firm, but a trio definitely representing the Detroit Tigers' postseason chances as they argue their case in front of the high court of a 162-game season.
Rookie right-hander Michael Fulmer plus callow lefties Daniel Norris and Matt Boyd will pitch for Detroit this weekend against the visiting Kansas City Royals as the Tigers try to enhance their playoff credentials.
"We wouldn't be here without them," Tigers manager Brad Ausmus has said on several occasions. "We would not be here if those three guys weren't pitching the way they have."
Detroit claimed at least temporary possession of the second wild-card spot by a half-game Thursday night with a 4-2 victory at Minnesota, completing a sweep of the Twins to extend its winning streak to four.
The Tigers are a half-game up on Baltimore, which was swept in a four-game set with Boston.
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Kansas City has already been dethroned as champions of the American League Central and is being slowly locked out of the wild-card door. It has won just three of its last 11 games after its 5-2 loss Thursday night at Cleveland.
"You're not going to live a charmed life forever, and we did last year by not really suffering any major injuries," Royals manager Ned Yost said. "This year we did (sustain injuries).
"I've been very proud of the way this team continues to battle through all adversity. They don't quit. They're every bit into these games as they were at this time last year. That's a good trait to have."
Opposing Fulmer, a leading candidate for AL Rookie of the Year with a 10-7 record and 3.03 ERA, will be tough lefty Danny Duffy. Norris works Saturday and Boyd on Sunday for Detroit.
Duffy (12-2, 3.18 ERA) has a franchise-record 181 strikeouts for a left-hander and his dozen victories are the most by a Kansas City southpaw since Bruce Chen had 12 in 2011.
Yost said earlier this week he doubted if center fielder Lorenzo Cain would return to the field this season. He's been bothered for weeks by a wrist sprain that limits his ability to swing a bat.
Third baseman Mike Moustakas has missed much of the season with a knee injury that required surgery, although Cheslor Cuthbert has filled in well.
"You get Moose back, you get Lorenzo Cain back (next season)," Yost said. "Those are two pretty big bats that have been missing in this lineup for a while now."
Fulmer is making his fourth start against Kansas City this season and is looking to beat the Royals for the first time. Fulmer is 0-2 with a 2.75 ERA in his first three starts against the Royals. In 19 2/3 innings, he's allowed Kansas City 18 hits, including a pair of home runs.
Detroit hopes second baseman Ian Kinsler, who missed the Minnesota series after suffering a concussion Sunday when hit on the top of the helmet by Cleveland's Trevor Bauer, can return to action for the series opener against Kansas City.
Designated hitter Victor Martinez, hit on the left knee by Bauer in the same game, missed the opener against the Twins plus the three innings of the rained-out game, but belted a pinch-hit three-run home run in Thursday's first game and was the DH in the second.
"It's not a secret we're running out of time," Martinez said. "We just keep playing the games. See what happens. Heading home for the final stretch."
Justin Upton hit a tiebreaking solo home run in Thursday's first-game 9-2 win, and since Aug. 20 has hit 13 of his 25 home runs and driven in a league-best 33 runs over that period.
"Justin Upton, in terms of being a story," Ausmus said, "think about some of the home runs he's hit over the past month.
"He's had some big home runs throughout the month that he's gotten hot. Probably as many big home runs on the team compacted into one month."
