The Detroit Tigers came into Monday's first game of a three-game series against Kansas City trailing the Royals by two games in the American League Central, and looking to make up ground.

Of course, there's the doubleheader with the Lions on Monday Night Football, pushing the opening game for the Tigers-Royals back to 4:08 to accommodate the traffic downtown.

“A good day for sports fans here, for sure. For us, clearly the biggest series of the season to this point," Tigers manager Brad Ausmus said. "I would imagine that the atmosphere would probably be a little bit more energy in the dugout, probably in the ballpark as well.”

Here's the parking advisory.

DETROIT TIGERS (78-65):
Ian Kinsler, 2B
Torii Hunter, RF
Miguel Cabrera, DH
Victor Martinez, 1B
J.D. Martinez, LF
Don Kelly, CF
Nick Castellanos, 3B
Alex Avila, C
Andrew Romine, SS

Pitcher: Justin Verlander, RHP (12-12, 4.80 ERA)

KANSAS CITY ROYALS (79-62):
Nori Aoiki, RF
Omar Infante, 2B
Alex Gordon, LF
Salvador Perez, C
Eric Hosmer, 1B
Billy Butler, DH
Mike Moustakas, 3B
Lorenzo Cain, CF
Alcides Escobar, SS

Pitcher: Jeremy Guthrie, RHP (10-10, 4.31 ERA)