Detroit Tigers (36-49) vs. Kansas City Royals (32-52)
When: Game 1 — 2:10 p.m; Game 2 — 8:10 p.m.
Where: Kauffman Stadium in Kansas City, Missouri.
TV: Bally Sports Detroit.
Radio: WXYT-FM (97.1) in Detroit (Tigers radio affiliates).
Starting pitchers: Game 1: Tigers RHP Michael Pineda (2-3, 3.62 ERA) vs. Royals RHP Brad Keller (4-9, 4.37); Game 2: Tigers RHP Alex Faedo (1-4, 5.02) vs. Royals LHP Daniel Lynch (3-7, 4.95).
ALL-STAR SOTO: Detroit Tigers closer Gregory Soto selected to MLB All-Star Game for second year in a row
A ROSTER BOUND FOR THE SHOW: Why it’s not crazy to think Detroit Tigers will draft somebody from this high school team
Game notes: Chicago Cubs legend (and Baseball Hall of Famer) Ernie Banks is famous for coining the phrase, “Let’s play two!” and for the second straight week, the Detroit Tigers will do just that against an American League Central opponent. Last week, it was the Cleveland Guardians at home and this week they’ll begin a series with the Kansas City Royals on the road.
Michael Pineda, the Tigers’ starter in Game 1 will look to reach .500 this season and make amends for the rough outing he had against the Royals in his last outing. Going five innings, he gave up seven hits and all three runs in a 3-1 loss on July 1. While the two AL Central cellar dwellers may not play any meaningful ball before the All-Star break, the chances of Javier Baez linking up with his “best friend” Royals reliever Amir Garrett should be worth a look.
Tigers Game 1 lineup:
CF Riley Greene
SS Javier Baez
2B Harold Castro
DH Miguel Cabrera
3B Jeimer Candelario
RF Willi Castro
1B Spencer Torkelson
LF Kody Clemens
C Tucker Barnhart
P Michael Pineda
Live updates
Can’t see the chatter? Refresh the page or check it out on Twitter.
Contact Andrew Hammond at aahammond@freepress.com. Follow him on Twitter @ahammFreePress. Check out some of the tremendous offers from the Detroit Free Press and subscribe today!