Preview: Royals at Tigers

The Detroit Tigers remained within a game of the Chicago White Sox in the American League Central as Justin Verlander beat the Kansas City Royals 6-2 in the first of a four-game series on Monday. The Tigers won’t get another start from their ace pitcher until Saturday, so others will have to step up and lead the way. Miguel Cabrera looks to extend his hitting streak to 15 games and add to his major league leading 133 RBIs for the Tigers.

Pitcher Anibal Sanchez gets the start Tuesday for the Tigers, who hope to match their 13-hit attack in the opener. Billy Butler leads the Royals offense, which is seventh in the majors in hits. The designated hitter is the first Kansas City player to reach 100 RBIs in a season since Carlos Beltran in 2003 and he continues to move up the list with 102.

TV: 7:05 p.m. ET, FSD (Detroit), FSKC (Kansas City).

PITCHING MATCHUP: Royals LH Bruce Chen (11-12, 5.22) vs. Tigers RH Anibal Sanchez (3-6, 4.55).

Chen rebounded from three straight rough starts by pitching 6 2/3 shutout innings to beat the Chicago White Sox last Wednesday. The veteran is two victories from equaling his career high in 2005 with Baltimore. Chen is 1-2 with a 3.93 ERA this season and 5-5 lifetime with a 5.49 ERA against the Tigers. It will be his 33rd start, the most in his career for a single season.

Sanchez is just 1-3 in his last five starts but has not had much support. He’s allowed 11 earned runs in 32 1/3 innings in that stretch, with five of the runs coming in his last start against Oakland. Sanchez has not pitched past seven innings since being acquired from the Miami Marlins. He allowed seven hits and one run in his only start against the Royals on Aug. 29, but took the loss.

WALK-OFFS

1. Cabrera is 11-for-26 lifetime with three homers against Chen.

2. Royals 3B Mike Moustakas has gone 45 games without an error. 

3. Tigers 1B Prince Fielder has belted 18 of his 28 homers at home.