Play: Detroit Tigers
Rating: 8/10*

The Kansas City Royals are coming off five consecutive victories, a streak I think will end as they travel to Detroit and Comerica Park Monday. KC's Jason Hammel (4-8, 4.81 ERA) will match up with Detroit's Justin Verlander (5-7, 4.54 ERA) on the mound. The same two pitchers squared off just five days ago, a game the Royals won with two runs in the bottom of the ninth. Verlander was solid though allowing just two runs through seven innings, and while Hammel allowed only one run through 6 1/3 innings of work we can note that he has a 6.98 ERA in 11 career games (eight starts) versus Detroit.

The Tigers are 9-2 in Verlander's last 11 starts during Game 1 of a series and 10-4 in Verlanders last 14 home starts.