Tigers Look to Secure Series Win Against Royals

DETROIT, Mich. — The Detroit Tigers aim to clinch their fifth series win of the season as they host the Kansas City Royals Saturday afternoon at Comerica Park. Fresh off a victory Friday night, the Tigers will send starting pitcher Casey Mize to the mound against the Royals’ Seth Lugo, looking to extend their winning streak.

The matchup comes after the Tigers split a four-game series and now sit at 11-8, while the Royals struggle at 8-12, having lost four consecutive games. Manager A.J. Hinch expressed determination to harness their recent momentum. “We need to reset, go home against a division opponent we know well,” he said.

Mize, a former No. 1 draft pick, seeks redemption after allowing four runs in his last outing against the Milwaukee Brewers despite a strong start to the season where he posted a 0.77 ERA in his first two appearances. The 27-year-old right-hander has shown promise, striking out a total of 12 batters over 11 2/3 innings this season.

On the other hand, Lugo, in his ten-year career, has experienced inconsistency. He recently rebounded from a challenging outing allowing four home runs, combining three successful starts with a current season ERA of 3.86. “We need him to put a few good innings together today to help our offense get going,” Hinch noted.

The Tigers’ offense, which features Spencer Torkelson leading with 13 RBIs and six home runs, has also experienced struggles. Though Torkelson has been a bright spot, teammate Riley Greene has faltered, managing just one hit in his last 32 at-bats. “He’s carrying the weight of the last at-bat into the next at-bat,” Hinch commented, indicating the mental toll slumps can take on players.

The first pitch is scheduled for 1:10 p.m. ET, and fans can catch the action live at Comerica Park or follow the game on various sports networks. The challenge for the Tigers remains clear: generate runs consistently to support their pitching staff.