Baseball betting season: The last time the Detroit Tigers won seven of their first nine games, Rick Porcello was more than three years shy of being born.
The 21-year-old right-hander can help the Tigers to their best start since 1985 on Wednesday when they face the Kansas City Royals in the finale of a three-game series.
Detroit (6-2) went 7-2 to open the 1985 season. Porcello, who was born Dec. 27, 1988, will try to help his club match that as he looks to follow up a solid start in his 2010 debut.
Porcello (1-0, 3.60 ERA) allowed two runs over five innings of a 5-2 victory over Cleveland on Friday in the team's home opener.
The Tigers had to overcome an early deficit in that win, and they came up with yet another comeback victory Tuesday by scoring six runs in the seventh inning to beat Kansas City 6-5.
Detroit, which has needed to rally in all but one of its wins, trailed by five heading into the seventh but got five hits and drew three walks in the inning.
Carlos Guillen's double brought home the go-ahead runs, spoiling the Royals' third straight game with at least five runs and double-digit hits.
"Hopefully, sometime this year we can score some runs early and make it easier on our pitchers, but the fact that we are going out and winning these games says a lot about our team," outfielder Johnny Damon said.
A bullpen that has posted a 2.90 ERA has paved the way for the comebacks, and the Tigers have batted .293 in their best start in six years.
After allowing five runs in a 10-5 series-opening loss Monday, Detroit's relievers bounced back to give up one unearned run over four innings Tuesday.
Royals relievers, meanwhile, are struggling again after recording a 5.02 ERA and 22 blown saves in 2009. Kansas City is 1 for 5 in save opportunities this season and the bullpen has a 7.96 ERA.
"We're 3-5, the bullpen has had an impact on all eight games, and that impact has been negative a lot more than it has been positive," manager Trey Hillman said.
If Kyle Davies' recent history against the Tigers is any indication, the club's relievers might not have much of an impact Wednesday. The right-hander went 0-5 with a 6.25 ERA in his last six starts versus Detroit, although he did pitch well in a 3-2 win at Comerica Park on Aug. 16, allowing two runs over six innings.
Davies (0-0, 4.50) earned his only win against the Tigers at Comerica on Sept. 22, 2007, throwing 5 1/3 innings of three-run ball in a 7-4 victory.
One bad inning cost him the chance for a victory in his season debut Friday night against Boston. He pitched six innings of a 4-3 win but gave up three runs in the fourth.
Porcello has not faced the Royals at home and was 1-1 with a 5.00 ERA in three starts against them last season.
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