Tigers and Royals Set for Showdown as AL Central Rivals Meet in Detroit

DETROIT - Tonight, the Detroit Tigers will face the Kansas City Royals at Comerica Park. This is the first game of a three-game series in the American League Central. First pitch is scheduled for 7:10 p.m. EDT on Apple TV+.

Detroit (76–53) is on a three-game winning streak and leads the division by 9½ games. They will start right-hander Casey Mize (12–4, 3.63 ERA) on the mound. Mize has 103 strikeouts this year. He’s hoping for his fourth win in a row after achieving 10 strikeouts over 6⅓ innings in his last game.

The Royals (66–62), 8–2 in their last 10 games and sitting in second place, counter with rookie Ryan Bergert (1–1, 2.75 ERA). Bergert, acquired from the Padres, has stood out in his three starts with Kansas City. He averages nearly six innings per game and has a 2.70 ERA.

Detroit holds a 5–2 advantage in the season series. The Tigers’ offense includes young sluggers Riley Greene (29 HR, 92 RBI) and Spencer Torkelson (13 HR, 18 2B). They have a .319 on-base percentage at home, which is fifth best in the AL. Kansas City has contact hitters like Maikel Garcia, who has a .299 batting average and 32 doubles. Vinnie Pasquantino leads the team with 26 home runs.

Weather at game time is expected to be clear with calm winds. Tonight’s odds favor the Tigers at −162 on the moneyline, while the Royals sit at +136. The over/under is set at 8.5 runs.

The series continues Saturday at 6:10 p.m. EDT and concludes Sunday at 1:10 p.m. EDT.