Detroit @ Kansas City preview

Last Meeting ( Jul 8, 2011 ) Detroit 6, Kansas City 4

THE STORY: The Detroit Tigers’ woeful pitching staff can use another dependable arm to take some of the heat off Justin Verlander and Max Scherzer. The Tigers are hoping it is highly regarded lefthander Charlie Furbush, who will make his second-career start Saturday against the lowly Kansas City Royals. Magglio Ordonez’s two-run homer sparked the Tigers to their third straight win, a 6-4 victory on Friday, while host Kansas City fell to 5-14 in its last 19 games.

TV: 7:10 pm. ET, Fox Sports Kansas City, Fox Sports Detroit

PITCHING MATCHUP: Kansas City RH Luke Hochevar (5-8, 5.17 ERA) vs. Tigers LH Charlie Furbush (1-2, 3.08). Hochevar left Sunday’s start against Colorado in the fourth inning after injuring his back while sliding into second base, but appears to be fine. The righthander threw a bullpen session Wednesday and reported no problems. Hochevar's problems on the mound have come when hitters start making adjustments. His ERA over the first three innings is 2.67, but it jumps to 6.37 between the fourth and sixth. Hochevar is 3-4 with a 4.41 ERA in nine appearances – eight starts – against Detroit. Jhonny Peralta is 3-for-5 with a pair of home runs against him. Furbush, one of the Tigers’ best prospects heading into the season, is making his second start in place of the ineffective Phil Coke. The lefthander allowed three runs and five hits in 4 2/3 innings of a 5-1 loss to Los Angeles on Monday, but manager Jim Leyland said he was pleased with the effort. Furbush has never faced the Royals.

ABOUT THE ROYALS (36-53): The Royals fell to 4-12 in their last 16 home games with Friday’s 6-4 loss. Kansas City left the bases loaded in the ninth, continuing a troubling trend. The Royals are 3-for-19 with runners in scoring position over the past two games. Rookie third baseman Mike Moustakas, who’s stuck in a 0-for-21 rut, has been a main culprit. He has one hit in his last 12 at bats with runners in scoring position and two out. The drought is unusual for Kansas City, which entered Friday hitting .269 with runners in scoring position – fourth-best in baseball.

ABOUT THE TIGERS (48-42): The Tigers are seeking to win four straight for the first time since June 4-7. Detroit is hoping it can keep up its stellar play within the division. The Tigers, seeking their first division title in 23 years, improved to 17-7 against AL Central foes. Of the next 72 games, 48 are against the AL Central. Of course, the pitching will have to improve for that to happen. Detroit entered Friday’s contest ranked 26th in team ERA (4.33). All-Star closer Jose Valverde will likely be unavailable Saturday after recording a save in each of the last two games. Detroit will also be without leadoff hitter Austin Jackson, who is out until after the All-Star break due to a sore wrist.

FINAL PITCH: Rookie reliever Aaron Crow is the Royals’ lone All Star. Left fielder Alex Gordon was a final vote contestant. Had he been voted onto the team, the Royals would have had multiple All Stars for just the third time in 22 years (2000, RF Jermaine Dye, 1B Mike Sweeney and 2003 Sweeney, RHP Mike MacDougal).