Tigers vs. Royals: Series Schedule, TV, and Game Times

Kansas City heads to Detroit for a four-game series at Comerica Park beginning Thursday, July 23, with first pitch at 6:40 p.m. ET. The series opens two days after the Royals lost their starting shortstop to the injured list and one day after their veteran catcher tied a franchise record that had stood for 33 years.

Game 1 is televised on Detroit SportsNet, Royals.TV, and MLB Network, per the official MLB schedule. Regional streaming restrictions apply to Royals.TV.

Full Series Schedule at Comerica Park

All four games are played in Detroit, with times listed in Eastern Time:

Opening Pitching Matchup

Troy Melton starts for the Tigers in the series opener against Kansas City's Randy Dobnak, per official MLB probable pitcher listings. Both assignments are subject to change before lineups are finalized.

Bobby Witt Jr. Is Sidelined

Kansas City arrives without its starting shortstop. Bobby Witt Jr., 23, was placed on the 10-day injured list Wednesday with lower back tightness the first IL stint of his five-year major league career, per the official Royals roster transaction.

Witt told reporters he could not play at his normal level. "It's just kind of one of those things where the type of way I play, I couldn't be myself out there," he said. The IL placement is retroactive to July 21. Infielder Andrew Velazquez, 29, was called up from Triple-A Omaha to replace him on the roster.

Witt's 30 stolen bases lead the major leagues. He entered the series batting .289 with 13 home runs as a three-time All-Star. The Royals have not set a timetable for his return.

Salvador Perez Ties a Franchise Record

The series also opens the day after a milestone. Salvador Perez, 36, connected on his 317th career home run Wednesday, tying Hall of Fame third baseman George Brett for the most home runs in Kansas City Royals history. The two-run blast measured 437 feet and helped Kansas City beat the San Francisco Giants 5–4 to complete a sweep.

Perez reached the mark in 1,802 games. Brett needed 2,707 across a 21-year career. "Everybody knows what George Brett did here for this city," Perez said on the field after the game. "To be (tied with) a Hall of Famer, I'm certainly excited, too."

The record had stood since Brett's retirement in 1993. Perez needs one more home run to claim sole possession of it.

Where Both Clubs Stand

Detroit enters the series at 48–54 and in fourth place in the AL Central, sitting 4.5 games behind the third AL Wild Card spot, per official MLB standings. Kansas City is at 43–60 and in fifth. The Royals have a longer climb in the Wild Card race and have been linked to trade discussions ahead of the August 3 deadline, though no roster moves have been confirmed.

The Tigers came into this series after a 5–1 win over the Cubs on July 23 at Wrigley Field. Hao-Yu Lee, 25, hit a go-ahead three-run homer and Keider Montero, 25, allowed one run across 5⅓ innings.

The 2026 MLB All-Star Game was held at Citizens Bank Park in Philadelphia on July 14, with Witt named a starter for the American League. Ten days later, he is watching from the dugout.

After Game 4 at Comerica Park on July 26, the Royals head to Minnesota for a three-game series beginning July 28 — with the trade deadline clock ticking toward August 3.