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Tigers Vs. Royals: Justin Verlander Looking To Stay Hot In Kansas City

Justin Verlander will take the mound for the Detroit Tigers as they start a new series Monday night against the Kansas City Royals.

DETROIT, MI - AUGUST 17:  Justin Verlander #35 of the Detroit Tigers throws a second-inning pitch while playing the Baltimore Orioles at Comerica Park on August 17, 2012 in Detroit, Michigan.  (Photo by Gregory Shamus/Getty Images)
DETROIT, MI - AUGUST 17: Justin Verlander #35 of the Detroit Tigers throws a second-inning pitch while playing the Baltimore Orioles at Comerica Park on August 17, 2012 in Detroit, Michigan. (Photo by Gregory Shamus/Getty Images)
Getty Images

The Detroit Tigers are looking to stay in contention for both the AL wild card as well as the AL Central heading into September. If they're able to sweep the Kansas City Royals this week, they'll be in an even better spot.

Justin Verlander is scheduled to start Monday evening's series-opener at Kauffman Stadium. If the past repeats itself, the Royals could be in for a long night. Verlander is 9-2 with a 1.83 ERA in his career at Kansas City and has given up just four runs in 17 innings against the Royals in his two starts this season.

Kansas City will counter with Luis Mendoza on the mound, a righty making his first career start against Detroit. Mendoza will need to rebound quickly from his last outing, too, considering he lasted just over four innings before getting pulled last Wednesday against the Tampa Bay Rays.

The Royals and Tigers are scheduled to play 10 more games this season -- including Monday night's affair -- as Detroit looks to add as much space as possible in the standings between the two clubs.

For more on the Tigers, be sure to visit Bless You Boys. If looking for Kansas City baseball information, Royals Review has you covered. For the best coverage of the league in general, check out Baseball Nation.