Detroit Tigers Push Towards Division Crown Against Royals

The Detroit Tigers got a well deserved rest on Labor Day, following a three game road sweep of the Tampa Bay Rays. While the Tigers took care of their road business, the Minnesota Twins lost two of three in Cleveland.

The Tigers have the opportunity to put together a streak of three consecutive road series wins with a strong performance in Kansas City. Meanwhile, the Twins continue their road trip in Toronto and may have to worry more about staying ahead of the White Sox than catching the Tigers.

The Tigers are beginning to look more like a legitimate playoff team, rather than simply the best of the worst. They will get a chance to prove just how much better than the worst they are with a three game set with the Royals.

Tuesday, Sept. 8, 8:10 PM

Porcello (12-8, 4.18) vs. Bruce Chen (1-6, 5.24)

No Tigers pitcher has more victories prior to their 21st birthday than Rick Porcello. He will have a chance to add to that total in a series opener against Bruce Chen who will be filling in for Brian Bannister.

The young Royals offense will go head to head with a rookie pitcher that seems to be gaining strength. Porcello has allowed two earned runs or fewer in six of his last seven outings.

Porcello has posted a 1-1 record and 4.50 ERA against the Royals. Mark Teahen been the biggest thorn in Porcello's side with at least one RBI in each game.

Bruce Chen will make his second start against the Tigers and third appearance overall.

Chen was roughed up for seven runs in four and two thirds innings on July 7. Miguel Cabrera got it going with a first inning home run. Placido Polanco and Marcus Thames later followed with home runs of their own.

Polanco will be particularly happy to see Chen back on the mound, as he went 2-for-3 with three RBI before Chen exited the game back in July. Look for him to continue his recent hot streak at the plate.

Wednesday, Sept. 9, 8:10 PM

Justin Verlander (16-7, 3.29) vs. Robinson Tejeda (1-1, 3.61)

Robinson Tejeda will make his second start of the season in place of Gil Meche. He comes off a strong performance against the Angels in which he threw five and a third shutout innings.

Tejeda has faced the Tigers twice in relief this season. The Tigers tagged Tejeda with a run in each appearance, each lasting less than a full inning.

In his last two starts, Justin Verlander has pitched well enough to benefit from some late inning dramatics. Verlander battled to pitch eight innings and keep his team in the game before being rewarded with a win, as the Tigers offense lit up the Tampa Bay Rays bullpen to steal games away from Jeff Nieman.

Verlander will face the Royals for the third time in 2009. If the third follows the script of the first two, Verlander will have another September start to add to his Cy Young resume. Verlander is 9-1 with a 2.38 ERA against the Royals in his career.

The overpowering righty has fanned 19 Royals hitters on the year. Verlander trails Tim Lincecum 233 to 222 for the Major League lead in strikeouts.

Thursday, Sept. 10, 2:10 PM

Jarrod Washburn (9-8, 3.55) vs. TBA

The Tigers will catch a break as the Royals have chosen to give Zack Greinke some extra rest. Lenny DiNardo appears to be the favorite to start in Greinke spot. If not, it figures to be another pitcher from AAA Omaha.

Jarrod Washburn will make his return to the mound after having his spot in the rotation skipped due to a knee that has ailed him for most of the season. Washburn had missed a start earlier in the season while with the Mariners and was able to come back strong.

The Royals couldn't be a more perfect opponent for Jarrod to see in his return. Washburn has surrendered just one earned run in 15 innings against the Royals this year, including his best start as a Tiger, in which he went eight scoreless innings on Aug. 14.

The Tigers will need Washburn's knee to respond to the rest, as it seems Armando Galarraga has completely fallen out of the starting rotation. Jarrod was acquired to be a force down the stretch and into the playoffs, and a healthy knee is essential for that to play out.

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