Kansas City @ Detroit preview

Last Meeting ( Aug 30, 2012 ) Detroit 1, Kansas City 2

The Detroit Tigers lost a golden opportunity to move into at least a tie for the American League Central lead by dropping a doubleheader to the Minnesota Twins at home Sunday. The good news is the Tigers will send ace Justin Verlander to the mound Monday to start a four-game series against the visiting Kansas City Royals. The Tigers’ fate may be decided by Kansas City, which will also host them in the final three games of the season. Miguel Cabrera continues to try and carry the Tigers, who trail the Chicago White Sox by one game, across the finish line and win a triple crown. The slugger has four homers and 13 RBIs in his last eight games.

The Royals had their four-game win streak snapped against Cleveland 15-4 on Sunday. Kansas City lost seven of the first eight games against the Tigers this season, but swept the last three at home. The Royals are 6 1/2 games clear of Minnesota for third place in the Central.

TV: 7:05 p.m. ET, FS-DET (Detroit)

PITCHING MATCHUP: Royals RH Luke Hochevar (8-14, 5.40 ERA) vs. Tigers RH Justin Verlander (15-8, 2.74)

Hochevar has just one victory since July 31. He allowed three runs on three solo homers in a loss to the White Sox his last start on Sept. 18. Hochevar is 4-5 with a 6.17 ERA against the Tigers in his career, including a loss May 1 in which he surrendered 12 hits and nine runs over four innings. However, six of his wins this season have come on the road and seven at night.

Verlander has not allowed a run in 11 innings over his last two starts – both victories. He has given up two or fewer runs in six of his last nine outings. Verlander is 1-0 against Kansas City this season, but has allowed 25 hits in 22 2/3 innings with a 4.76 ERA in two starts. The 2011 American League MVP leads the league with 223 1/3 innings pitched.

WALK-OFFS

1. Cabrera is 16-for-32 lifetime with two homers against Hochevar.

2. The Royals have had just one winning season since 1994. That was in 2003.

3. Tigers first baseman Prince Fielder is three short of extending his streak of 30-homer seasons to six.