There is not much mystery in the American League Central right now. The Kansas City Royals are enjoying a huge lead in the race as they hit a rough patch during a recent 10-game road trip. The team currently owns the best record in baseball while headlining the Central division by 9 ½ games. However, the team is aiming to bounce back from a 2-5 stretch with a win over the Detroit Tigers.
In the past seven games, the Royals have not looked very good with a 5.52 combined ERA while batting .226. That is a huge dropoff from the 2.13 ERA they were boasting while winning six of their last eight. Kansas City simply cannot find the offense on this road trip which showed in Wednesday's loss to the Tigers where they stranded six runs in scoring position behind Johnny Cueto. Some of their best bats are not producing as Lorenzo Cain is 0 for 9 while Alcides Escobar is batting .152.
The Royals are looking for a bounce back. They will place Yordano Ventura on the mound who is 6-7 with a 4.98 ERA on the season. After getting demoted from the Triple-A Omaha, Ventura has won his past two starts. He gave up one run to Houston at the end of July before retiring the first 11 batters in a game against Toronto. He is 2-0 with a 4.30 ERA against the Tigers.
Detroit is seemingly out of the playoff picture, something demonstrated by the trade of David Price. The Tigers will put Anibal Sanchez on the mound who is struggling while allowing 24 home runs on the season. He is 10-9 with a 4.77 ERA and leadings the league in home runs allowed. In his last start he gave up two home runs while allowing six runs in six innings against the Orioles. If the Royals want offense, he is the pitcher to do it against. Sanchez does pitch better at home with a 5-0 record and 2.89 ERA. Against Kansas City he is even better with a 6-3 record and 1.98 ERA in his career.
