DETROIT — Due in part to their head-to-head success against their main rival, the Kansas City Royals, the Detroit Tigers led the American League Central by as much as seven games.
Now faced with the task of chasing down the streaking Royals, the Tigers need to continue that dominance to leapfrog Kansas City in the standings.
Detroit plays six pivotal games against Kansas City over the next two weeks, beginning with a three-game home series that starts Monday afternoon. The Tigers, who trail the Royals by two games, won nine of the first 13 meetings.
“We’re telling ourselves we have to win every game,” manager Brad Ausmus said. “It’s nice to get help from other teams playing against your division rival, but you can’t count on it.”
The Tigers haven’t received much help this month. The Royals are 5-1 since Labor Day, holding opponents to a total of five runs in their victories.
“You have to give the Royals some credit. They’ve pitched very well lately,” Ausmus said. “You tip your cap, but we still have to win, regardless of who we’re playing. We’re fortunate we have six games against them.”
The Tigers have used a combination of big offensive nights and stingy pitching in their wins against Kansas City. Detroit scored eight or more runs in four of the victories and held the Royals to one run in four other wins.
Several of the offensive cogs posted big numbers against the Royals’ vaunted pitching staff. Outfielder J.D. Martinez leads the way with a .515 average, four home runs and 13 RBIs, even though he wasn’t on the roster for the opening series. Second baseman Ian Kinsler is batting .346 with two home runs and nine RBIs against Kansas City. Designated hitter Victor Martinez has a .343 average with one home run.
First baseman Miguel Cabrera has been held to a .209 average and no home runs, though he has 11 RBIs. Cabrera’s power perked up recently, with a pair of two-homer games in the last seven days and another homer Sunday in the Tigers’ 6-1 win over the San Francisco Giants.
Rick Porcello, who pitches Wednesday, leads the staff with two wins over the Royals. Justin Verlander and ace Max Scherzer will start the first two games.
“They’re coming in hot, we’re coming in off a win,” right fielder Torii Hunter said. “It’s going to be some good baseball. I just hope the fans come out and give us that energy we need and we get that adrenaline we need. It’ll be a lot of fun, if we get those fans to come out.”