Monday, March 31, 1:08 PM on FSKC, FSDT

Comerica Park, Detroit, Michigan

J. Shields (0-0) vs. J. Verlander (0-0)

For Updated Odds on This Game Click Here

James Shields of the Kansas City Royals will take on Justin Verlander and the Detroit Tigers on Opening Day in what should be a good pitching matchup. James Shields helped the Royals have one of their best seasons in years in 2013. He finished the year with 13 wins and a 3.15 ERA in 228 innings pitched, which lead the American League. He ended up getting the 11th most votes in the AL Cy Young voting.

Shields may be a solid pitcher, but he hasn't had a lot of success against the Tigers' best hitters. Reigning MVP Miguel Cabrera has a .425 batting average and 2 home runs against him in his career, while Torii Hunter has a .326 batting average against him in 39 career plate appearances.

Justin Verlander had his worst season in years for the Tigers, but he still ended up with over 200 innings and a 3.46 ERA. His K/9 was still right around nine, so there's a good chance that he could return to being one of the better pitchers in baseball this season.

Verlander may be one of the best pitchers of his generation, but one guy who has been able to get the best of him regularly is Royals' DH Billy Butler. In his career, Butler has had 77 plate appearances against Verlander and has a .406 batting average, two home runs and 11 RBI.

ATS Data

Kansas City 

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

Detroit 

The total has gone OVER in 8 of Detroit's last 10 games at home
The total has gone UNDER in 4 of Detroit's last 5 games when playing Kansas City
Detroit is 4-1 SU in its last 5 games when playing at home against Kansas City

Injuries to Watch

Kansas City

No injuries to report at this time

Detroit 

No injuries to report at this time

Guy's Pick: Take Detroit

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