Kansas City @ DetroitRoyals @ Tigers Preview
Kenny Rogers was a key member of the Detroit Tigers' rotation when they went to the World Series in 2006, so it wasn't a big surprise the Tigers missed the playoffs last year when Rogers made only 11 starts due to injuries.
The 43-year-old left-hander hopes to start putting that frustrating season behind him when he takes the Comerica Park mound Wednesday, looking to help Detroit rebound from Monday's 11-inning loss to the Kansas City Royals.
After throwing 23 shutout innings in three wins during the 2006 postseason, Rogers (3-4, 4.43 ERA) spent four months on the disabled list last year, first battling a blood clot in his shoulder, then missing time due to elbow problems.
He was effective in five September starts, posting a 3.56 ERA despite an 0-2 record, but as one of the oldest starters in the league, he's concerned about whether he'll be able to contribute.
''I just want to be healthy all year,'' Rogers told the Tigers' official Web site. ''If I can stay healthy, I'll find a way to figure the rest out.''
He wasn't able to figure out Kansas City in two starts last season, going 0-2 with a 5.84 ERA. Royals second baseman Mark Grudzielanek went 4-for-5 in each game, and is hitting .647 (11-for-17) in his career against Rogers.
Before last season, Rogers was 6-0 in his previous eight starts against the Royals.
Kansas City's Brian Bannister (12-9, 3.87) was 2-1 with a 2.55 ERA against the Tigers last season, when he finished third in the voting for AL rookie of the year. Bannister started 2007 in the minor leagues, but will be expected to help anchor the Royals' rotation this year.
''He's been through the league for a year now so he knows how to pitch to guys better,'' Royals pitching coach Bob McClure told the team's official Web site. ''His stuff is sharper and that comes with confidence and more of an idea of what you're trying to do to a hitter. He's ahead of last year.''
The Tigers' lineup was expected to be considerably more formidable this season after the acquisitions of Edgar Renteria, Miguel Cabrera and Jacque Jones, but it wasn't enough to beat the Royals on opening day.
Carlos Guillen went 3-for-5 with a home run and Cabrera also homered in his Detroit debut, but Kansas City's Tony Pena Jr. hit an RBI single in the 11th inning, sending the Royals to a 5-4 win in manager Trey Hillman's first game.
Grudzielanek went 3-for-4 and third baseman Alex Gordon hit a two-run homer for the Royals. Gordon, the No. 2 overall draft pick in 2005, started slowly as a rookie last season, with one hit in his first 24 at-bats.
''This guy is a big-time player waiting to happen,'' Detroit manager Jim Leyland said of Gordon. ''He's got a tremendous swing. I think he'll be a star in this league before it's over with.''
The Tigers are trying to avoid their first 0-2 start since 2003, when they started 0-9 and lost 119 games. The Royals last opened 2-0 that same year, when they began 9-0 and finished over .500 for the only time in the last 14 seasons.
The Royals may be without leadoff hitter David DeJesus, who left Monday's game after aggravating an ankle injury.
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