• Preview
• Recap
• Bleachers
• Game Tracker

Royals target Central lead vs. Tigers

Sep 19, 2014 - 2:51 PM (SportsNetwork.com) - It's been a long time since the Kansas City Royals played a series as important as the one they'll be in this weekend.

On Friday they'll try to wrestle the top spot in the American League Central away from the Detroit Tigers when the division rivals kick off a crucial three-game set at Kauffman Stadium.

Kansas City hasn't been to the postseason since 1985, but enters this weekend's tilt just a half-game back of the Tigers in the AL Central and occupying one of the two wild card spots in the league.

"That's a big series, for the whole year," Royals shortstop Alcides Escobar said. "The team is going really good right now. Detroit, everybody knows, is good. Coming in here, it's exciting, playing at home. It's going to be a great series."

Detroit has gotten the better of the Royals in head-to-head action this season, taking 11 of the 16 matchups. The advantage has been even more pronounced in Kansas City, where the Tigers have gone 6-1.

"Nothing needs to be said. There's not a person in this clubhouse that doesn't understand the importance of this series," Detroit manager Brad Ausmus said. "This is fun. There should be a lot of energy - a lot more energy in the stands on the Royals side."

Detroit comes into this series having dropped two in a series loss to Minnesota, but will have former AL Cy Young Award winner and MVP Justin Verlander on the hill in the opener.

Verlander did not get a decision on Sunday against Cleveland, as he allowed three runs and six hits in 5 2/3 innings of his team's 6-4 win. He is 13-12 on the year with a 4.81 ERA.

A blister has caused him some problems this week, but it shouldn't hinder him on Friday.

"I've dealt with it before. It's not going to prohibit me from going out there," Verlander said.

Kansas City has been a thorn in Verlander's side this season, as he has pitched to a 5.59 ERA in three starts against the club. He's 18-16 lifetime against the Royals with a 4.42 ERA.

"We're in first place. Obviously, hey, you'd like to be up six or seven and be clinching right now, but sometimes I think that works against you," Verlander. "I think it's maybe better for a team to be playing meaningful games coming down the wire going into the playoffs, and not just kind of coasting."

Kansas City, which took two of three from Chicago earlier this week, will rely on lefty Jason Vargas in the opener. Vargas has lost four of his last five starts and has looked bad in his last two, giving up nine runs in 11 innings.

He lost to the Tigers two starts ago, yielding four runs and six hits in 5 1/3 innings.

Vargas is 11-9 on the year with a 3.41 ERA.