dpThe Detroit Tigers earned their second straight series win on Wednesday night with a 5-1 win over the Chicago Cubs at Wrigley Field. Keider Montero matched his career-high of eight strikeouts and Hao-Yu Lee’s three-run home run in the fourth inning helped power the offense to the victory.
The Motor City Kitties now head home to host the Kansas City Royals for a four-game American League Central showdown at Comerica Park. The visitors currently reside in the division basement five-and-a-half games behind the Tigers, but Detroit cannot take anything for granted in pursuit of a playoff spot.
Opening up the series is right-hander Troy Melton, who has truly found his groove over his last five starts. Stretching across the past 29 1/3 innings of work, the 25-year-old has posted a microscopic 0.92 ERA along with a healthy 2.56 FIP, giving up 13 hits (three home runs) and nine walks while striking out a whopping 36 batters along with a wild pitch and a hit batter.
Melton started slow in the strikeout column this season, but has K’d nine in two straight games and has struck out at least one per inning since mid-June. Not too shabby.
For the Royals, fellow righty and former Tigers minor leaguer Randy Dobnak will be making his fourth appearance of the season and second start since being called up from Triple-A. The 31-year-old was fairly effective but not terribly efficient in his last game against the San Diego Padres, getting the start and going 4 1/3 innings, allowing four hits — including a solo home run — and four walks while striking out three en route to a no-decision in a 6-1 victory.
Here is a look at how the two hurlers match up in the series opener on Thursday night.
Detroit Tigers (48-54) vs. Kansas City Royals (43-60)
Time (ET): 6:40 p.m.
Place: Comerica Park, Detroit, Michigan
SB Nation Site: Royals Review
Media: Detroit SportsNet, MLB.TV, Tigers Radio Network
Game 103: RHP Troy Melton (5-1, 1.80 ERA) vs. RHP Randy Dobnak (0-0, 1.93 ERA)
