After a day off following Monday's 11-2 Opening Day victory, the Tigers will try to take their momentum into Wednesday afternoon against the Royals at Comerica Park.

The Tigers have won their last two season openers, but they hadn't won their second game of the season since 1996 until taking the middle match of a three-game sweep in Toronto last year. Maroth took the win in that game despite giving up three runs in five innings. He gave up three runs combined in 14 innings over his last two starts against the Royals in 2004, splitting the decisions.

The day off transitions the Tigers from the excitement of their opener towards their day-to-day approach of expecting to win, something manager Alan Trammell has emphasized since Spring Training. With Opening Day complete, the Tigers now look at 21 of their next 23 games against division opponents. That includes five more games against the Royals, who beat Detroit 11 times in 19 matchups last season including a 26-5 rout at Comerica Park last September.

Runelvys Hernandez has never lost to the Tigers, but he did not face the improved Detroit club last season.

Pitching matchup
KC: RHP Runelvys Hernandez
• Did not pitch in Majors in 2004
• Did not face DET in 2004
• 2-0, 3.14 ERA lifetime vs. DET

DET: LHP Mike Maroth
• 11-13, 4.31 ERA in 2004
• 1-3, 2.96 ERA vs. KC in 2004
• 6-6, 3.93 lifetime vs. KC

Player to watch
Dmitri Young hit three home runs in his 4-for-4, five-RBI performance against the Royals Monday. He's 1-for-3 with an RBI double for his career against Hernandez.

On the Internet
 MLB.TV
 Gameday Audio
• Gameday
• Official game notes

On television
• KC: RSTN
• DET: None

On radio
• KC: WHB-AM 810, KZPL-FM 97.3
• DET: WXYT-AM 1270

Quick hits
Ivan Rodriguez is batting .438 (60-for-137) against the Royals since 1999, best among active players with at least 100 plate appearances. He had two hits Monday. ... Maroth has a 3.88 ERA in 42 career starts at Comerica Park, compared to a 5.89 ERA in 45 starts everywhere else. ... Angel Berroa is a .382 (73-for-191) career hitter against the Royals with four home runs and 24 RBIs.

On deck
• Thursday: Royals at Tigers, 1:05 p.m. ET
• Friday: Indians at Tigers, 7:05 p.m. ET
• Saturday: Indians at Tigers, 1:05 p.m. ET