Royals-Tigers Preview

Last place wasn't what the Detroit Tigers expected this year, but that's where they now find themselves.

The Tigers will try to escape the AL Central cellar on Wednesday night, and salvage the finale of their three-game series against the surging Kansas City Royals at Comerica Park.

Detroit (71-85) was considered a division contender entering this season, but never recovered from an 0-7 start. The Tigers also have been stumbling down the stretch, losing five in a row and 11 of their last 12.

That includes Tuesday's 5-0 defeat to Kansas City (72-86), which pushed Detroit one percentage point behind the Royals.

The Tigers have managed eight hits over the last two games, and only four against Royals pitchers Zack Greinke and Leo Nunez on Tuesday. It was the 11th time they've been held to four hits or fewer, and the 12th game in which they've been blanked.

"I'll make things real simple," Tigers manager Jim Leyland said. "We just haven't played good enough."

Detroit has five games left to try and avoid finishing last in the division for the first time since losing a club-record 119 games in 2003.

Meanwhile, Kansas City has won 11 of its last 14, and has four games as they look to prevent a fifth consecutive last-place finish.

"Unfortunately (staying out of last place), that's what we have to play for now," said first baseman Ryan Shealy, who homered and drove in two runs on Tuesday. "At least we're going in the right direction."

Alex Gordon and rookie Mike Aviles also homered, putting Kansas City in position to complete its second three-game sweep at Detroit this year. The Royals completed the feat March 31-April 3, sending the Tigers on their season-opening slide.

Kansas City looks to keep its momentum going behind struggling Brian Bannister (8-16, 5.96 ERA).

The right-hander, who is 1-10 with a 7.85 ERA over his last 15 outings, was reached for seven runs and eight hits over five innings of a 9-4 home loss to the AL Central-leading Chicago White Sox on Friday.

Bannister is 3-2 with a 2.48 ERA in five career starts against the Tigers, and allowed four runs and five hits in eight innings of a 4-3 home loss on Aug. 22.

He'll face Nate Robertson (7-10, 6.15), who makes his second start since he was demoted to the bullpen in late August.

The left-hander gave up three runs and four hits, while walking four over 2 2-3 innings of relief in the Tigers' 17-4 win at Texas on Wednesday.

In his most recent start, he left without a decision despite holding Oakland to a run and four hits, while striking out six over seven innings of a 3-2 loss on Sept. 9.

Robertson is 4-5 with a 5.70 ERA in 13 appearances versus the Royals, but 0-3 with a 7.18 ERA in his last six games against them.