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The Detroit Tigers<\/a> earned their second straight series win on Wednesday night with a 5-1 win over the Chicago Cubs<\/a> at Wrigley Field. Keider Montero<\/a> matched his career-high of eight strikeouts and Hao-Yu Lee\u2019s three-run home run in the fourth inning helped power the offense to the victory.<\/p>\n The Motor City Kitties now head home to host the Kansas City Royals<\/a> for a four-game American League Central showdown at Comerica Park. The visitors currently reside in the division basement a full five games behind the Tigers, but Detroit cannot take anything for granted in pursuit of a playoff spot.<\/p>\n Advertisement<\/p>\n Opening up the series is right-hander Troy Melton<\/a>, who has truly found his groove over his last five starts. Stretching across the past 29 1\/3 innings of work, the 25-year-old has posted a microscopic 0.92 ERA along with a healthy 2.56 FIP, giving up 13 hits (three home runs) and nine walks while striking out a whopping 36 batters along with a wild pitch and a hit batter.<\/p>\n Melton started slow in the strikeout column this season, but has K\u2019d nine in two straight games and has struck out at least one per inning since mid-June. Not too shabby.<\/p>\n For the Royals, fellow righty and former Tigers minor leaguer<\/a> Randy Dobnak<\/a> will be making his fourth appearance of the season and second start since being called up from Triple-A. The 31-year-old was fairly effective but not terribly efficient in his last game against the San Diego Padres<\/a>, getting the start and going 4 1\/3 innings, allowing four hits \u2014 including a solo home run \u2014 and four walks while striking out three en route to a no-decision in a 6-1 victory.<\/p>\n Here is a look at how the two hurlers match up in the series opener on Thursday night.<\/p>\n Advertisement<\/p>\n Time (ET):<\/strong>\u00a06:40 p.m. Game 103<\/strong>: RHP Troy Melton (5-1,\u00a01.80 ERA) vs. RHP Randy Dobnak\u00a0(0-0,\u00a01.93 ERA)<\/p>\n Player<\/p>\n<\/th>\n G<\/p>\n<\/th>\n IP<\/p>\n<\/th>\n K%<\/p>\n<\/th>\n BB%<\/p>\n<\/th>\n GB%<\/p>\n<\/th>\n FIP<\/p>\n<\/th>\n fWAR<\/p>\n<\/th>\n<\/tr>\n<\/thead>\n Melton<\/p>\n<\/td>\n 9<\/p>\n<\/td>\n 55.0<\/p>\n<\/td>\n 23.6<\/p>\n<\/td>\n 7.1<\/p>\n<\/td>\n 44.1<\/p>\n<\/td>\n 3.87<\/p>\n<\/td>\n 0.9<\/p>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n Dobnak<\/p>\n<\/td>\n 3<\/p>\n<\/td>\n 14.0<\/p>\n<\/td>\n 11.3<\/p>\n<\/td>\n 12.9<\/p>\n<\/td>\n 52.2<\/p>\n<\/td>\n 5.67<\/p>\n<\/td>\n -0.2<\/p>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n<\/div>\n MELTON<\/strong><\/p>\nDetroit Tigers<\/strong>\u00a0(48-54) vs.\u00a0Kansas City Royals<\/strong>\u00a0(X-X)<\/h2>\n
Place:<\/strong>\u00a0Comerica Park, Detroit<\/a>, Michigan
SB Nation Site:<\/strong> Royals Review<\/a>
Media: <\/strong>Detroit SportsNet,\u00a0MLB.TV,\u00a0Tigers Radio Network<\/p>\n\n\n
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