The Detroit Tigers kick off a six-game road trip on Friday with a three-game series against the Kansas City Royals at Kauffman Stadium. Coming off a rough homestand that saw the team drop four of six — including a three-game sweep at the hands of the Boston Red Sox — maybe a little time away from Comerica Park will do the team some good.

The Motor City Kitties kick off the weekend with right-hander Keider Montero taking the mound for his seventh start of the season. The 25-year-old has been a steady presence in the rotation after taking over for Justin Verlander and is coming off his best game so far, in which he threw 6 2/3 innings of one-run ball, allowing five hits (including a solo home run) and a walk while striking out two in a home win against the Texas Rangers.

Montero has already faced Kansas City once back on April 16 in Detroit, failing to figure in the decision after surrendering four runs on seven hits and no walks while striking out five over six frames in a team win.

Left-hander Kris Bubic will climb the hill for the home team in a season that has been a slight step back so far — but it is still early. The last time he faced the Tigers was that same game that Montero threw in, allowing five runs on six hits and three walks while striking out three over 4 2/3 innings.

Hopefully, bad Bubic shows up on Friday night and Montero throws a gem for the Ole English D. Take a look below at their numbers so far in the 2026 campaign.

Detroit Tigers (18-20) vs. Kansas City Royals (17-21)

Time (ET): 7:40 p.m.
Place: Kauffman Stadium, Kansas City, Missouri
SB Nation Site: Royals Review
Media: Detroit SportsNet, MLB.TV, Tigers Radio Network

Game 39: RHP Keider Montero (2-2, 3.48 ERA) vs. LHP Kris Bubic (3-1, 3.32 ERA)