Detroit @ Kansas City preview

Last Meeting ( Jul 9, 2011 ) Detroit 6, Kansas City 13

THE STORY: Justin Verlander has been unquestionably the best pitcher in the American League this season, but he won't be starting the All Star game. Verlander has more important things to worry about, such as rebounding from a tough-luck loss - his first in more than two months - and helping the Detroit Tigers rebound from one of their worst performances of the season. Verlander takes the hill Sunday looking to put the finishing touches on an impeccable first half when the visiting Tigers wrap up a four-game series with the Kansas City Royals.

TV: 2:10 pm. ET, FS Kansas City, FS Detroit

PITCHING MATCHUP: Royals LH Jeff Francis (3-9, 4.69 ERA) vs. Tigers RH Justin Verlander (11-4, 2.26).

Francis is 0-3 with a 5.92 ERA over his last four starts. His last outing was encouraging, though. The lefthander allowed two runs and seven hits in six innings, but didn't receive a decision in a 5-4 loss to the White Sox on Monday. Francis’ home ERA of 3.41 is nearly three runs lower than his road mark (6.29). He is 0-1 with a 4.50 ERA in two starts against Detroit. Verlander suffered his first loss in 12 starts Tuesday despite allowing only one run and seven hits in 7 2/3 innings in a 1-0 loss to Los Angeles. He had won seven straight starts, posting a 1.73 ERA in that span and had won his last nine decisions. He is 5-1 with a 2.17 ERA in his last seven starts against the Royals and 11-2 with a 2.47 ERA in 17 career starts against Kansas City.

ABOUT THE ROYALS (37-53): Kansas City entered Saturday hitting only .194 during a four-game losing streak to Detroit, but the Royals broke out with a 13-6 win. Kansas City also benefited from two Tigers' errors that led to a whopping eight unearned runs. It was the second-most unearned runs in franchise history. Melky Cabrera drove in three runs and extended his hitting streak to eight games. He is hitting .486 (17-for-35) with two homers and nine RBIs during the streak. Struggling rookie Mike Moustakas, who is hitless in his last 21 at bats, is expected to be in the lineup Sunday after getting Saturday off.

ABOUT THE TIGERS (48-43): Detroit had been enjoying a strong run of pitching (2.72 ERA) in five games since Jeff Jones replaced Rick Knapp as pitching coach, but there is nothing the pitchers could do Saturday. The Tigers trailed 9-2 after Kansas City scored five unearned runs in the third. The Tigers missed an opportunity to move ahead of Cleveland in the American League Central. Miguel Cabrera is scuffling as the first half draws to a close. The slugger has only five hits in his last 34 at bats. Jhonny Peralta was named to his first All-Star team Friday as a replacement for Derek Jeter. He is one of five Tigers headed to Phoenix, joining Alex Avila, Jose Valverde, Verlander and Cabrera.

FINAL PITCH: Verlander is the first Tigers’pitcher since Al Benton in 1945 to register six consecutive starts of at least seven innings without allowing more than one run.