Thursday, April 3, 1:08 PM on FSKC, FSDT

Comerica Park, Detroit, Michigan

Kansas City - Y. Ventura (0-0) vs. Detroit - A. Sanchez (0-0)

For Updated Odds on This Game Click Here

Yordano Ventura will take the hill for the Kansas City Royals as they face the Detroit Tigers and Anibal Sanchez Thursday afternoon. Both teams will expect solid 1st outings from each pitcher. Ventura is just in his second season in the majors. He started just three games for the Royals in 2013. He had one loss and pitched two no decisions. The numbers were fair for Ventura in those starts considering the fact that he didn’t pitch more than 5 2/3 innings.  Of his three starts last season, none of them were against the Detroit Tigers.

Anibal Sanchez had yet another solid year in 2013. Despite recurring shoulder issues, he still went 14 – 8 with an American League leading ERA of 2.57 in 29 starts. His 202 strikeouts were near the top of the list in the American League and he was 4th in the voting for the AL Cy Young Award. In his career he has had some success against the Kansas City Royals. Last year he was 2 – 1 with a 1.33 ERA against the Royals in three starts. Of the Royals, Omar Infante has faced him the most with 18 at bats. But Infante has just 3 hits in those at bats with 3 strikeouts.

Kansas City Trends

Kansas City is 1-5 SU in its last 6 games when playing on the road against Detroit
Kansas City is 3-6 SU in its last 9 games when playing Detroit
The total has gone UNDER in 4 of Kansas City's last 6 games when playing Detroit

Detroit Trends

Detroit is 5-1 SU in its last 6 games when playing at home against Kansas City
Detroit is 6-3 SU in its last 9 games when playing Kansas City
The total has gone UNDER in 4 of Detroit's last 6 games when playing Kansas City

Injuries to Watch

Kansas City 

03/30/14 P Louis Coleman Finger 15-day DL (3/21)
03/30/14 P Luke Hochevar Elbow 15-day DL (3/21)

Detroit 

03/28/14 LF Andy Dirks Back 15-day DL (3/29)
03/28/14 P Bruce Rondon Elbow 60-day DL (3/29), out for season
03/27/14 SS Jose Iglesias Stress Fracture 60-day DL (3/29)
03/27/14 P Octavio Dotel Elbow 60-day DL (4/20)

Josh's Pick: Take Detroit

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