Kansas City at Detroit

The Kansas City Royals have a much improved team. When they acquired James Shields, it gave them a top-of-the-rotation pitcher that could help them compete against the likes of Justin Verlander. The Royals are ahead of the Tigers in the standings, as Detroit has yet to hit their stride, and the bullpen remains shaky. Verlander has not had the same consistent velocity yet for the Tigers, so if he is to be had now is the time. The Royals have posted a 6-2 mark in their last eight vs. a team with a winning record. They have also bounced back from a loss at 5-1 following a setback in their last six. Play this one on the road dog, and back Kansas City.