Michael Fulmer (10-5, 2.69 ERA) starts for the Detroit Tigers (73-61) as they square off against Yordano Ventura (9-9, 4.33 ERA) and the Kansas City Royals (69-65) in the second of a three-game series at Ewing M. Kauffman Stadium. The Tigers won the last game 7-6, and Detroit leads the series 1-0. Action begins at 7:15 p.m. ET on Saturday, Sep. 3 and can be seen on FS1.
Ventura pitched 4.1 innings in his last outing, surrendering four runs (one unearned), striking out one and walking two in a 10-4 win over the Red Sox. Eric Hosmer (.273, 66 Rs, 19 HRs, 81 RBIs, 5 SBs) had another good game yesterday, going 2 for 4 with one run and one RBI. Fulmer went 5.0 innings, surrendering three runs, striking out four and walking one in a 3-2 defeat to the Angels in his most recent start. Miguel Cabrera (.310, 74 Rs, 29 HRs, 84 RBIs) has been successful at the plate, going 3 for 5 yesterday with two runs, one home run, and four RBIs.
Notes
The Tigers won their last game by a one-run margin. In games decided by one run, the Royals are 20-18. The Tigers are 23-15 in close games this season.
Kansas City has won 46% (26-30) of its games when leading after seven innings. However, Detroit has won 58% (37-27) of its games when taking a late lead.
The Tigers are coming into this game after allowing one walk during their last outing. The Royals have a 22-24 record when opponents give up one walk or less.
When they are outhit, the Royals are 9-45. The Tigers have an 11-44 record when opponents outhit them.
Kansas City ranks near the bottom of the league when it comes to home runs, hitting 119 this season. Detroit ranks in the top 10 at eighth with 176.
Ranking 30th, Kansas City is at the bottom of the league in walks, notching 316 this season. Detroit ranks in the bottom half at 17th with 397.
The Royals are 47-36 in games where they hit one or more home runs. The Tigers are 59-36 when they hit at least one homer.
