(Best E Casino) - The Kansas City Royals hope to move out of the basement in the AL Central this week, as they open a three-game series with the Detroit Tigers at Comerica Park.

The Royals come into this series residing in last place in the division, two games back of the fourth-place Tigers. They have played well of late, though, but lost two of three this weekend to the Central-leading Chicago White Sox.

On Sunday KC dropped the rubber match to the White Sox, 3-0, at Kauffman Stadium. Alex Gordon doubled for the Royals, who lost for only the second time in their last 10 tries.

KC starter Brandon Duckworth (3-2) took the loss, tagged for five hits and three runs over six-plus innings while walking one and striking out three.

Getting the call for the Royals tonight will be right-hander Gil Meche, who has won two of his last three starts. Meche got the win on Wednesday against the Seattle Mariners, surrendering a pair of runs and six hits in seven innings to run his record to 12-11, while lowering his earned run average to 4.08.

Meche has faced the Tigers 17 times over the course of his career, posting a 7-4 mark to go along with a 3.75 ERA.

Detroit will counter with righty Zach Miner, who is 8-4 with a 4.16 ERA. Miner did not get a decision on Tuesday in Texas, when he held the Rangers to a pair of runs and five hits in 7 1/3 innings of his team's 5-4 loss.

Miner beat the Royals the last time he faced them and is 3-2 lifetime against them with a 3.82 ERA in 11 games, five of which have been starts.

Detroit enters this matchup on the heels of getting swept in Cleveland this past weekend, culminating with Sunday's 10-5 drubbing at Progressive Field. Edgar Renteria had three hits, including a homer, for the Tigers, who have lost nine of their last 10.

Dontrelle Willis (0-2) was blistered for five hits and six runs, while walking six batters over 2 1/3 innings.

Detroit played the series in Cleveland without manager Jim Leyland, who served a three-game suspension. He will be back with the team tonight.

Kansas City has won eight of its 15 matchups with the Tigers this season, but Detroit has won seven of the last nine encounters.