Tuesday, September 8 Kauffman Stadium | 8:10 PM ET
Rick Porcello, RHP (12-8, 4.18) @ Bruce Chen, LHP (1-6, 5.24)

Scouting Report:
Tigers: Porcello became just the second Major League pitcher since 1988 to win a dozen games in a season before his 21st birthday, joining Felix Hernandez thanks to a solid performance on Wednesday against the Indians. He held Cleveland to two runs over seven-plus innings in a remarkably efficient performance. Porcello has used his four-seam fastball well to set up his sinker as a great out pitch over his past few starts, a trend that should continue in Kansas City.
Royals: Chen, a left-hander trying to make an impression in a comeback year from Tommy John surgery, gets another shot as a replacement for Brian Bannister. The Royals are skipping Bannister this time as he gets a medical evaluation for shoulder fatigue when stopped him after 1 1/3 innings last Wednesday at Oakland. Chen saved the day in that game, pitching four solid innings to give the other relievers a needed rest. Chen has made eight starts, the last Aug. 6 in an 8-6 win over the Mariners -- his first big league victory in almost four years.

Wednesday, September 9 Kauffman Stadium | 8:10 PM ET
Justin Verlander, RHP (16-7, 3.29) @ Robinson Tejeda, RHP (1-1, 3.61)

Scouting Report:
Tigers: Verlander continued to make his case to be the American League Cy Young Award winner on Friday, when he overcame an intense pitchers' duel with the Rays' Jeff Niemann and notched his 16th win, which was tied for the AL lead at the time. Verlander gave up a run in the second inning, but he retired 10 of his next 11 batters and ended up giving up just that one run on four hits and a walk while striking out seven in eight innings. The 26-year-old did, however, need 126 pitches (85 strikes) to get through his outing. Verlander has thrown at least 100 pitches in 24 of his 29 outings this year, with 14 of those being for 115-plus. Verlander, who has a 2.64 ERA since April 27, is 9-1 with a 2.38 in 13 career starts against the Royals.
Royals: Tejeda, making a spot start for Gil Meche, did a superb job last Friday night and he gets another chance with Meche being skipped again. Tejeda held the Angels scoreless on one hit for 5 1/3 innings but got no decision as the bullpen lost his 1-0 lead. Tejeda struck out six and walked just two, the last two batters before he left the game. Tejeda now has a string of 13 straight scoreless innings, in which he's given up only two hits. Although he's no certainty to finish the season in the rotation, his recent performances give him a chance to return to starting, which he did most often with Philadelphia and Texas.

Thursday, September 10 Kauffman Stadium | 2:10 PM ET
Jarrod Washburn, LHP (9-8, 3.55) @ To be announced (probably Greinke)

Scouting Report:
Tigers: Washburn's left knee was too sore for him to make his previous scheduled start, against the Rays last Saturday, so he'll now go on nine days' rest against the Royals. Washburn, who said he's been told there's cartilage damage and received a pain-killing shot on the knee last Wednesday, was also skipped once with the Mariners earlier this year. Since coming over in the trade, the 35-year-old is 1-2 with a 6.81 ERA in six starts. In his last outing, against the Rays on Aug. 31, the lefty gave up eight runs in 5 2/3 innings. Washburn is 8-6 with a 2.94 ERA in 19 career games (18 starts) against the Royals.

This was a tough loss for the Tigers... Up 5-2 they wind up blowing it. Soria picked up the save for the Royals. Tags blew a good opportunity to pick up a game on both the Twins and the White Sox as both lost. No real loss, though. Brush it off and move on. Series continues tomorrow night, same time.

Detroit's hitters must have gone on strike again. They sure didn't do anything productive for JV tonight, which is becoming all too familiar. Justin Verlander (16-8) gave up one run on six hits with three walks and eight strikeouts over six frames, but came out the undeservedly loser.

The Tags were bested by a n00b who threw six shutout innings, scattered three hits with eight strikeouts, and walked just two in his second straight start for an ailing Gil Meche.

Billy Butler had three doubles, two RBI and a run scored.

This was KC's first home series victory in 13 tries, dating back to June (pathetic).

Pinch-hitter Alex Avila drove in the lone run for the Tigers, who are now 5 1/2 games in front of the Minnesota Twins in the American League Central race.

Soria picked up his 24th save on the season when he entered the game in the 9th inning because Detroit loaded the bases with just one out.

Washburn takes the mound tomorrow at 2:10 PM vs. DiNardo (not Greinke, thank the Lord).