Game 41 Preview: Tigers try to avoid road sweep at Royals on Sunday

Make it five straight losses for the Detroit Tigers after their 5-1 loss on Saturday night to the Kansas City Royals. Burch Smith’s two runs surrendered in just 1/3 of an inning as the opener was too much for the wet-noodle offense to overcome and… sigh… AJ Hinch’s squad is in danger of its second-straight sweep.

The Motor City Kitties will have right-hander Brenan Hanifee on the hill to open up Sunday’s series finale in what should be yet another bullpen game. The 27-year-old has yet to surrender a run so far this season and the Tigers got scoreless three frames out of him in his last appearance against the Boston Red Sox, so maybe there is hope.

Meanwhile, second-year hurler Noah Cameron will take the mound for Kansas City. The 26-year-old southpaw had a strong rookie season last year, putting up a 2.99 ERA but a 4.18 FIP in 138.1 innings pitched with a 20.5% strikeout rate and 7.7% walk rate — those last two numbers are not far off from his numbers so far this year.

However, after opening the 2026 campaign with a 1.69 ERA and 1.82 FIP over 10 2/3 frames, which includes just a couple of walks and 10 strikeouts, he has posted a 7.29 ERA and a 5.80 FIP in the 21 innings he’s thrown since on 30 hits (five home runs) and nine walks while striking out 18. Can the Tigers take advantage of the struggling starter?

Find out on Sunday night — if you have access to the NBC Sports Network or Peacock.

Detroit Tigers (18-22) vs. Kansas City Royals (19-21)

Time (ET): 7:20 p.m.
Place: Kauffman Stadium, Kansas City, Missouri
SB Nation Site: Royals Review
Media: NBC Sports Network/Peacock, Tigers Radio Network

Game 41: RHP Brenan Hanifee (0-0, 0.00 ERA) vs. LHP Noah Cameron (2-2, 5.40 ERA)