Aiming to build on their moderate two-game winning streak, the Detroit Tigers will wrap up the first half of the 2012 Major League Baseball season with a three-game series against the Kansas City Royals starting Friday.
A pair of talented left-handed pitchers will face off on the mound in game one, as Detroit youngster Drew Smyly enters in search of his fourth career victory. Opposing the Tigers' impressive rookie for Kansas City is their once-vital winter acquisition of Jonathan Sanchez, who has been a colossal disappointment in his first year in the National League, sporting an abysmal 6.80 ERA.
Sanchez, who has been shelled for six earned runs in each of his last two starts, will face a Tigers lineup that should be as dangerous as ever with No. 3 hitter Miguel Cabrera assuming the designated hitter spot for the evening. Cabrera's night off from the field will force usual DH Delmon Young into left field, as a sure-handed Ramon Santiago will take over third base duties for manager Jim Leyland.
Here are Friday's starting lineups for both teams:
Tigers
1. Austin Jackson - CF
2. Quintin Berry - RF
3. Miguel Cabrera - DH
4. Prince Fielder - 1B
5. Delmon Young - LF
6. Ryan Raburn - 2B
7. Jhonny Peralta - SS
8. Alex Avila - C
9. Ramon Santiago - 3B
Drew Smyly - SP
Royals
1. Alex Gordon - LF
2. Alcides Escobar - SS
3. Eric Hosmer - 1B
4. Billy Butler - DH
5. Yuniesky Betancourt - 2B
6. Mike Moustakas - 3B
7. Jeff Francoeur - RF
8. Brayan Pena - C
9. Jason Bourgeois - CF
Jonathan Sanchez - SP
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