GDT: 8/5/11 - DET (59-52) AT KC (48-63) - 8:10 p.m. ET

Leyland won't underestimate the Royals

By Jesse Sanchez / MLB.com | 8/4/2011 7:18 PM ET

Tigers manager Jim Leyland knows where the Royals sit in the American League Central standings.

He also knows better than to underestimate an opponent, especially an opponent with a roster full of young talent like the Royals.

"Everybody thinks you're playing Kansas City, you're supposed to win," Leyland said. "It doesn't work that way. They just were in Chicago a week or so ago and beat them two out of three, then they went somewhere else and beat them two out of three. They just beat Cleveland. We're very respectful, believe me. We know how dangerous they are. They've got some talent."

On Friday, Leyland will send Rick Porcello to the mound against the Royals in the first game of the series. Kansas City will counter with Felipe Paulino.

"It doesn't matter who you're playing. A lot of times, it's when you're playing them," Leyland continued. "They're very talented, and some people say they have the best young players in baseball, including some real good young pitching, one of which we'll see. So, we've got our work cut out."

Porcello has lost only one of his last eight starts against the Royals, though just three of those outings were quality starts. He has enjoyed an abundance of run support, including six runs on July 8 at Kauffman Stadium.

He went 5-0 with a 3.06 ERA last month.

As for Paulino, he worked six scoreless innings last Saturday at Cleveland, holding the Indians to four hits in a no-decision. He has issued just seven unintentional walks in his last six starts, with 42 strikeouts.

Tigers: Miggy, Guillen to host fundraiser
• Tigers players Miguel Cabrera and Carlos Guillen will host the Detroit Tigers Foundation's signature annual fundraising effort when they take part in Keeping Kids in the Game, a ballpark event under the lights on Thursday, Aug. 18.

• Jhonny Peralta and Justin Verlander were selected as the Tigers' Player and Pitcher of the Month, respectively, for July, as voted by local media members in Detroit.

Royals: Hosmer rookie of the month
• Eric Hosmer was named AL Rookie of the Month for July on Wednesday. The Royals' 2008 first-round pick earned the distinction after hitting .306 with five home runs, 19 RBIs, 34 hits and nine doubles in 27 games.

• Mike Moustakas was out of the lineup on Wednesday and will not play Thursday so he can concentrate on his swing.

Worth noting
• On Wednesday, Tigers closer Jose Valverde became the first pitcher to convert his first 30 save chances from the start of a season since Philadelphia's Brad Lidge accomplished the feat in 2008.

• Tigers pitching coach Jeff Jones told MLB Network Radio Thursday morning that he still thinks Phil Coke has the stuff to make it as a starter in the right situation, but that the circumstances and expectations this year didn't work out.

Tigers: RHP Rick Porcello (11-6, 4.50 ERA)

Porcello makes his first start of August after going 5-0 in July with a 3.06 ERA and 29 hits over 32 1/3 innings, including a win in Kansas City on July 8. His work to get opposing hitters away from sitting on his sinker has paid off.


Royals: RHP Felipe Paulino (1-4, 3.51 ERA)

Paulino worked six scoreles innings last Saturday at Cleveland, holding the Tribe to four hits in a no-decision. Although his pitch counts tend to be high, Paulino has issued just seven unintentional walks in his last six starts with 42 strikeouts.


Game Information


RESCHEDULED GAMES: The following is the information on the rescheduled Tigers games postponed at Comerica Park this season:
- Thursday, September 1 versus Kansas City at 1:05 p.m. (rescheduled from May 15)

INJURY UPDATE:

• RHP Joel Zumaya (right elbow olecranon fracture surgery, 60-day disabled list on March 30).
• LHP Brad Thomas (left elbow inflammation, 60-day DL on May 11)



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• Saturday, August 6:
Tigers (RHP Justin Verlander (15-5, 2.24 ERA)) AT
Royals (LHP Danny Duffy (3-4, 5.05 ERA)),
7:10 p.m. ET (FS-D HD / WXYT 97.1 FM & 1270 AM)

• Sunday, August 7:
Tigers (RHP Max Scherzer (11-6, 4.23 ERA)) AT
Royals (LHP Bruce Chen (5-5, 4.37 ERA)),
2:10 p.m. ET (FS-D HD / WXYT 97.1 FM & 1270 AM)

STARTING LINEUPS:

TIGERS

1. Austin Jackson, CF
   
2. Brennan Boesch, LF
   
3. Magglio Ordonez, RF
   
4. Miguel Cabrera, 1B
   
5. Victor Martinez, DH
   
6. Jhonny Peralta, SS
   
7. Carlos Guillen, 2B
   
8. Alex Avila, C
   
9. Wilson Betemit, 3B
   

P: Rick Porcello

ROYALS

1. Alex Gordon, LF
   
2. Melky Cabrera, CF
   
3. Billy Butler, DH
   
4. Eric Hosmer, 1B
   
5. Jeff Francoeur, RF
   
6. Johnny Giavotella, 2B
   
7. Mike Moutstakas, 3B
   
8. Alcides Escobar, SS
   
9. Minny Pina, C
   

P: Felipe Paulino

DET - Top 1st
B:0 S:0 O:0
Austin Jackson triples (8) on a fly ball to center fielder Melky Cabrera.

B:2 S:1 O:0
Brennan Boesch triples (1) on a line drive to right fielder Jeff Francoeur, deflected by first baseman Eric Hosmer. Austin Jackson scores.
1 - 0

B:2 S:1 O:1
Magglio Ordonez out on a sacrifice fly to right fielder Jeff Francoeur. Brennan Boesch scores.
2 - 0

B:2 S:2 O:2
Miguel Cabrera grounds out, second baseman Johnny Giavotella to first baseman Eric Hosmer.

B:0 S:3 O:3
Victor Martinez called out on .

KC - Bot 1st
B:2 S:1 O:1
Alex Gordon grounds out, second baseman Carlos Guillen to first baseman Miguel Cabrera.

B:2 S:1 O:2
Melky Cabrera grounds out softly, shortstop Jhonny Peralta to first baseman Miguel Cabrera.

B:1 S:2 O:3
Billy Butler grounds out, shortstop Jhonny Peralta to first baseman Miguel Cabrera.

2 - 0 AFTER 1 INNING

DET - Top 2nd
B:0 S:0 O:1
Jhonny Peralta flies out to right fielder Jeff Francoeur.

B:1 S:2 O:2
Carlos Guillen flies out to center fielder Melky Cabrera.

B:0 S:3 O:3
Alex Avila out swinging.

KC - Bot 2nd
B:1 S:3 O:1
Eric Hosmer out on foul tip.

B:1 S:0 O:1
Jeff Francoeur singles on a ground ball to center fielder Austin Jackson.

B:1 S:0 O:3
Johnny Giavotella grounds into double play, second baseman Carlos Guillen to shortstop Jhonny Peralta to first baseman Miguel Cabrera. Jeff Francoeur out at 2nd.

2 - 0 AFTER 2 INNINGS

DET - Top 3rd
B:0 S:2 O:1
Wilson Betemit grounds out, shortstop Alcides Escobar to first baseman Eric Hosmer.

B:0 S:2 O:2
Austin Jackson singles on a ground ball to shortstop Alcides Escobar. Austin Jackson out at 2nd, first baseman Eric Hosmer.

B:1 S:1 O:3
Brennan Boesch grounds out to first baseman Eric Hosmer.

KC - Bot 3rd
B:1 S:3 O:1
Mike Moustakas out swinging.

B:0 S:1 O:2
Alcides Escobar flies out softly to center fielder Austin Jackson.

B:1 S:3 O:3
Manny Pina out swinging.

2 - 0 AFTER 3 INNINGS

DET - Top 4th
B:1 S:3 O:1
Magglio Ordonez called out on .

B:0 S:0 O:1
Miguel Cabrera singles on a soft ground ball to second baseman Johnny Giavotella.

B:1 S:3 O:2
Victor Martinez out swinging.

B:3 S:3 O:3
Jhonny Peralta out swinging.

KC - Bot 4th
B:1 S:1 O:1
Alex Gordon grounds out, second baseman Carlos Guillen to first baseman Miguel Cabrera.

B:0 S:2 O:1
Melky Cabrera singles on a ground ball to left fielder Brennan Boesch.

B:3 S:3 O:3
Billy Butler out swinging and Melky Cabrera caught stealing 2nd, catcher Alex Avila to second baseman Carlos Guillen.

2 - 0 AFTER 4 INNINGS

DET - Top 5th
B:1 S:2 O:1
Carlos Guillen flies out to center fielder Melky Cabrera.

B:2 S:2 O:1
Alex Avila homers (13) on a fly ball to center field.
3 - 0

B:3 S:2 O:1
Wilson Betemit doubles (17) on a line drive to right fielder Jeff Francoeur.

B:4 S:1 O:1
Austin Jackson walks.

Coaching visit to mound.

B:1 S:2 O:2
Brennan Boesch flies out to left fielder Alex Gordon.

B:1 S:0 O:3
Magglio Ordonez grounds into a force out, third baseman Mike Moustakas to second baseman Johnny Giavotella. Austin Jackson out at 2nd.

KC - Bot 5th
B:3 S:1 O:1
Eric Hosmer grounds out, shortstop Jhonny Peralta to first baseman Miguel Cabrera.

B:2 S:0 O:2
Jeff Francoeur grounds out, shortstop Jhonny Peralta to first baseman Miguel Cabrera.

B:1 S:0 O:2
Johnny Giavotella doubles (1) on a ground ball to right fielder Magglio Ordonez.

B:0 S:2 O:3
Mike Moustakas grounds out, third baseman Wilson Betemit to first baseman Miguel Cabrera.

3 - 0 AFTER 5 INNINGS

DET - Top 6th
B:2 S:3 O:1
Miguel Cabrera out swinging.

B:3 S:2 O:2
Victor Martinez grounds out, second baseman Johnny Giavotella to first baseman Eric Hosmer.

B:0 S:0 O:3
Jhonny Peralta grounds out, shortstop Alcides Escobar to first baseman Eric Hosmer.

KC - Bot 6th
B:2 S:2 O:1
Alcides Escobar grounds out, pitcher Rick Porcello to first baseman Miguel Cabrera.

B:1 S:0 O:2
Manny Pina grounds out, shortstop Jhonny Peralta to first baseman Miguel Cabrera.

B:2 S:1 O:2
Alex Gordon singles on a line drive to center fielder Austin Jackson.

B:0 S:0 O:3
Melky Cabrera flies out to left fielder Brennan Boesch.

3 - 0 AFTER 6 INNINGS

DET - Top 7th
B:2 S:2 O:1
Carlos Guillen grounds out to first baseman Eric Hosmer.

B:1 S:3 O:2
Alex Avila out swinging.

B:4 S:2 O:2
Wilson Betemit walks.

Coaching visit to mound.

Pitcher Change: Louis Coleman replaces Felipe Paulino.

B:1 S:2 O:3
Austin Jackson grounds out softly, pitcher Louis Coleman to first baseman Eric Hosmer.

KC - Bot 7th
B:1 S:1 O:0
Billy Butler singles on a ground ball to left fielder Brennan Boesch, deflected by third baseman Wilson Betemit.

B:2 S:1 O:0
Eric Hosmer singles on a ground ball to right fielder Magglio Ordonez. Billy Butler to 2nd.

Coaching visit to mound.

B:0 S:0 O:1
Jeff Francoeur flies out to center fielder Austin Jackson. Billy Butler to 3rd.

B:2 S:2 O:1
Johnny Giavotella singles on a ground ball to right fielder Magglio Ordonez. Billy Butler scores. Eric Hosmer to 2nd.
3 - 1

Coaching visit to mound.

Pitcher Change: Phil Coke replaces Rick Porcello.

B:1 S:2 O:1
Mike Moustakas singles on a ground ball to right fielder Magglio Ordonez. Eric Hosmer scores. Johnny Giavotella to 3rd.
3 - 2

Coaching visit to mound.

Pitcher Change: David Pauley replaces Phil Coke.

B:0 S:2 O:1
Alcides Escobar singles on a soft fly ball to center fielder Austin Jackson. Johnny Giavotella scores. Mike Moustakas to 2nd.
TIED 3 - 3

B:1 S:1 O:3
Manny Pina grounds into double play, shortstop Jhonny Peralta to second baseman Carlos Guillen to first baseman Miguel Cabrera. Alcides Escobar out at 2nd.

TIED 3 - 3 AFTER 7 INNINGS

DET - Top 8th
B:0 S:1 O:1
Brennan Boesch grounds out to first baseman Eric Hosmer.

B:3 S:2 O:1
Magglio Ordonez singles on a ground ball to center fielder Melky Cabrera.

Offensive Substitution: Pinch runner Don Kelly replaces Magglio Ordonez.

B:0 S:0 O:2
Miguel Cabrera grounds into a force out, second baseman Johnny Giavotella to shortstop Alcides Escobar. Don Kelly out at 2nd. Miguel Cabrera to 1st.

B:1 S:0 O:3
Victor Martinez pops out to third baseman Mike Moustakas.

KC - Bot 8th
Don Kelly remains in the game as the right fielder.

Pitcher Change: Daniel Schlereth replaces David Pauley.

B:1 S:1 O:1
Alex Gordon flies out to left fielder Brennan Boesch.

B:1 S:0 O:2
Melky Cabrera lines out softly to shortstop Jhonny Peralta.

B:2 S:2 O:3
Billy Butler grounds out softly, shortstop Jhonny Peralta to first baseman Miguel Cabrera.

TIED 3 - 3 AFTER 8 INNINGS

DET - Top 9th
Pitcher Change: Joakim Soria replaces Louis Coleman.

B:1 S:3 O:1
Jhonny Peralta out swinging.

B:2 S:0 O:2
Carlos Guillen pops out to third baseman Mike Moustakas in foul territory.

B:0 S:0 O:3
Alex Avila grounds out, second baseman Johnny Giavotella to first baseman Eric Hosmer.

KC - Bot 9th
B:2 S:2 O:1
Eric Hosmer grounds out, first baseman Miguel Cabrera to pitcher Daniel Schlereth.

B:1 S:1 O:2
Jeff Francoeur flies out to right fielder Don Kelly.

B:4 S:1 O:2
Johnny Giavotella walks.

Coaching visit to mound.

With Mike Moustakas batting, Johnny Giavotella steals (1) 2nd base.

B:3 S:3 O:3
Mike Moustakas out swinging.

TIED 3 - 3 AFTER 9 INNINGS

DET - Top 10th
Pitcher Change: Aaron Crow replaces Joakim Soria.

B:4 S:1 O:0
Wilson Betemit walks.
Offensive Substitution: Pinch runner Andy Dirks replaces Wilson Betemit.

B:0 S:3 O:1
Austin Jackson out swinging.

With Brennan Boesch batting, wild pitch by Aaron Crow, Andy Dirks to 2nd.

B:1 S:0 O:1
Brennan Boesch singles on a ground ball to center fielder Melky Cabrera. Andy Dirks scores.
4 - 3

B:4 S:0 O:1
Don Kelly walks. Brennan Boesch to 2nd.

Coaching visit to mound.

Pitcher Change: Greg Holland replaces Aaron Crow.

B:3 S:1 O:3
Miguel Cabrera grounds into double play, shortstop Alcides Escobar to second baseman Johnny Giavotella to first baseman Eric Hosmer. Don Kelly out at 2nd.

KC - Bot 10th
Defensive switch from right field to third base for Don Kelly.

Andy Dirks remains in the game as the right fielder.

Pitcher Change: Jose Valverde replaces Daniel Schlereth.

B:0 S:2 O:1
Alcides Escobar flies out softly to right fielder Andy Dirks.

Offensive Substitution: Pinch hitter Brayan Pena replaces Manny Pina.

B:0 S:0 O:2
Brayan Pena lines out to second baseman Carlos Guillen.

B:0 S:2 O:3
Alex Gordon grounds out, shortstop Jhonny Peralta to first baseman Miguel Cabrera.