DETROIT – The Detroit Tigers will have to wait another day to try and end a four-game losing streak after rain postponed Tuesday's series opener against the visiting Kansas City Royals.
The Tigers had what appeared to be a promising road trip end with a thud when they were dominated in a three-game sweep by the Los Angeles Angels, getting outscored 22-4.
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Detroit made some news off the field Tuesday when it signed former closer Jose Valverde to a one-year contract.
The Royals overcame an emotionally charged atmosphere in Boston to sweep a split doubleheader from the Red Sox on Sunday and improve to 10-7. Kansas City had entered the series with the second-fewest homers (five) in the majors, but matched that total in the three-game set and swatted three in the nightcap.
"Any time you can sweep a doubleheader with any big-league team, especially Boston - at Boston - it's huge," said left fielder Alex Gordon, who went deep for the first time this season.
TV: 7:08 p.m. ET, Fox Sports Kansas City, Fox Sports Detroit
PITCHING MATCHUP: Royals RH Wade Davis (2-0, 2.25 ERA) vs. Tigers RH Max Scherzer (1-0, 2.84)
Davis has made a seamless transition back to a starting role after pitching in relief with Tampa Bay last season. Following a rocky season debut in which he allowed four runs on nine hits in four-plus innings, Davis has thrown 12 scoreless innings in winning his last two starts.
He was sensational last time out, blanking Atlanta on five hits over seven innings while striking out seven and not walking a batter. Miguel Cabrera is 2-for-10 with two homers against Davis.
Scherzer has turned in back-to-back overpowering performances but has nothing to show for it. He struck out 12 and gave up one run on six hits in eight innings at Seattle last time out, a game the Tigers won in 14 innings. That followed a six-inning stint at Oakland in which he fanned 11 and allowed one earned run.
Scherzer is 6-4 with a 3.48 ERA in 13 career starts against the Royals, but he beat them twice last season while giving up four runs in 17 innings.
WALK-OFFS
1. Kansas City starters have pitched at least six innings in seven straight games.
2. Tigers 1B Prince Fielder had two hits and a homer Sunday after going 3-for-22 with 10 strikeouts in his previous five games.
3. The Tigers are 5-for-52 with runners in scoring position in their last six games.