Kansas City @ Detroit preview

Last Meeting ( Sep 26, 2012 ) Kansas City 4, Detroit 5

The Detroit Tigers may have saved their best baseball for right time. The Tigers stand alone in the first place in the American League Central for the first time since July 23, a game ahead of the Chicago White So, as they go for the four-game sweep of the visiting Kansas City Royals on Thursday. Detroit has done it with minimal production from Miguel Cabrera, who has hit the ball well but is 1-for-11 in the series.

Other Tigers are stepping up - led by hard-working Andy Dirks, who is 12-for-26 over the last seven games. Austin Jackson and Delmon Young each have six hits in the series and Dirks five. Kansas City has dropped four consecutive games as it plays out the string on another disappointing season. Billy Butler and Alex Gordon continue to be tough outs, but Eric Hosmer has struggled while going hitless in his last 17 at-bats.

TV: 1:05 p.m. ET, FSD (Detroit).

PITCHING MATCHUP: Royals RH Luis Mendoza (8-9, 4.44 ERA) vs. Tigers RH Doug Fister (10-9, 3.43).

Fister has been outstanding after a 1-6 start. The 6-foot-8 right-hander is 9-3 since July 2 with two complete-game victories, including a shutout of Minnesota in his last start on Sept. 22. He has allowed two or less earned runs in 10 of his last 13 starts. Fister beat Kansas City on July 7, allowing four runs over six innings. He is 2-2 lifetime against the Royals with a 4.04 ERA over 35 2/3 innings.

Mendoza is 4-2 since Aug. 1, including a victory over Cleveland in his last start on Sept. 21. He allowed two runs over six innings in that outing. Mendoza gave up seven hits and six runs over five innings on Aug. 28 in his only start against the Tigers this season, but did not get a decision. He is 1-1 lifetime with a 9.30 ERA against the Tigers.

WALK-OFFS

1. Jackson, the Tigers’ leadoff batter, needs one run scored to reach 100 for the second time in his first three seasons.

2. Alcides Escobar (32) and Jarrod Dyson (29) have a chance to become the first Royals duo with at least 30 steals in a season since Willie Wilson and Lonnie Smith in 1985.

3. Detroit’s 5-4 victory on Wednesday broke a string of 11 straight losses in one-run games.