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Posted at 10:45 AM EST.

8:10 PM EST. Jordan Zimmermann (RHP) has been around for years and brings some pedigree and some market credibility into this start. In fact, it may surprise you to learn that Zimmermann has made 12 starts this year for the Tigers and has just one loss and a nifty 3.71 ERA. On the surface, Zimmermann has had a bit of a career resurgence this season. Over his last five starts he is 2-1 with a 2.56 ERA and 29/2 K/BB in 31.2 IP but we’re not buying it for a second. For one, he’s had a mere three pure quality starts in 12 tries. In his last start, he was torched for 11 hits in six frames but only allowed three earned runs. Zimmermann’s strand % over his last five starts was 88%, which was the highest mark in the game over that span. Zimmermann is an extreme fly-ball pitcher with pinpoint control. So the only thing he does well now is get strike one. As righties continue to hit the ball hard on him more and more each season, it's an indication that he has run out of tricks. This is what happens when you live in strike zone and now he’s favored on the road because of his misleading surface stats and because he’s throwing against the (perceived) pitiful Royals.

The other side of that coin is a rather unknown starter by the name of Burch Smith. Smith has been around since 2013 and was very highly regarded by a few teams. He was originally drafted by the Padres back in 2011 and shot up through their minor league system after dominating three levels. In 2014, the Rays wanted him and he was part of the Wil Myers deal. After battling injuries for years and missing all of 2015 and ‘16 because of Tommy John Surgery, Smith became a Rule 5 draftee and was selected by the Mets, who subsequently dealt him to the Royals.

Smith spent last year with the Tampa Bay Rays' organization and in 12 starts and 13 appearances overall, he went 5-3 with a 2.40 ERA, holding the opposition to a .198 batting average, while recording 56 strikeouts in 56.1 innings. This is a pitcher that has battled the hard way to get back here. He has a wicked arsenal and is once again throwing at 94 MPH with regularity. Smith has 13 K’s with just three walks issued over his past 13 frames and is certainly worth keeping an eye on. Misguided market perception is the only reason Smith is a dog here and therefore he and the Royals must be played.

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