Detroit Tigers lineup vs. Kansas City Royals: Javier Baez at SS behind Casey Mize

Detroit Tigers (2-4) vs. Kansas City Royals (2-3)

When: 8:10 p.m. Thursday.

Where: Kauffman Stadium in Kansas City.

TV: Bally Sports Detroit.

Radio: WXYT-FM (97.1) (Tigers radio affiliates).

• BOX SCORE

Weather forecast: Clear, in the mid-50s.

JEFF SEIDEL: Akil Baddoo hasn’t even scratched the surface. Here are some encouraging signs

TAKEAWAYS: Spencer Torkelson answers critics; Tucker Barnhart shines behind the plate

Probable pitchers: Tigers RHP Casey Mize (0-1, 7.20 ERA) vs. Royals RHP Zack Greinke (0-0, 1.59 ERA).

Tigers lineup:

1. Austin Meadows LF

2. Jonathan Schoop 2B

3. Javier Baez SS

4. Jeimer Candelario 3B

5. Miguel Cabrera DH

6. Akil Baddoo CF

7. Spencer Torkelson 1B

8. Tucker Barnhart C

9. Victor Reyes RF

Game notes: The Tigers put a scare into the Boston Red Sox after falling behind 7-1 but lost the last time out, 9-7. Casey Mize will try to right the ship in his seventh career start vs. the Royals. Mize started six games vs. Kansas City last season, going 2-1 with a 4.88 ERA. He’s pitched more innings against the Royals than any team in his brief MLB career.

Austin Meadows stayed hot for the Tigers, collecting two more hits and an RBI on Wednesday to give him eight hits in 17 at-bats, along with three walks. Harold Castro also went 2-for-4, serving as a last-minute replacement for Javier Baez, whose status for Thursday is unknown. Spencer Torkelson went 2-for-4 in the loss as well, hitting his first career home run.

The Royals’ offense is led by Salvador Perez’s two home runs and Andrew Benintendi’s seven hits. But the pitching staff has struggled, with a league-worst 6.80 team ERA and .306 opponents batting average.

The teams play again Friday night before a pair of earlier starts Saturday and Sunday.

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