The next most important series of the season is here—and it starts tonight in Kansas City.

Sure, the Guardians series didn't end the way we hoped, but let's not overlook what the Royals accomplished. Splitting a four-game set with a tough Cleveland team? That's a win in our book. And if they can carry that momentum into tonight's matchup against the Tigers, this series could be the turning point fans have been waiting for.

Detroit comes into this one reeling. Tarik Skubal is sidelined for a couple of months. Framber Valdez is suspended. Gleyber Torres joined a growing list of key contributors on the injured list. With the series in Kansas City, the Royals have a golden opportunity to not just win this series—but sweep it. The Tigers haven't even announced their starters for the next two games, which tells you everything about the state of their rotation. If KC can take down Keider Montero tonight, they'll be in prime position to feast on a division rival in disarray.

That said, Montero is no pushover. The Royals' offense has been clicking for weeks now, but they'll need to bring their A-game against a pitcher who lives in the zone. Back on April 16, they roughed him up for four runs over six innings—only to lose 10-9 in a gut-punch rain-delayed heartbreaker. That game made fans wonder if the team would ever win again. But look at them now. The Royals have been winning ever since. So don't panic.

Here's what to expect from Montero: He leans heavily on his fastballs—four-seamer against lefties, sinker against righties. Right-handed hitters will see mostly sliders after that, while lefties get a mix of changeups and knuckle curves. He doesn't generate many whiffs or chases, but he pounds the zone and limits hard contact. The key for Kansas City? Hunt your pitches. Be disciplined. Make him pay when he leaves one over the plate.

On the mound for the Royals is Kris Bubic. He hasn't been quite as electric as last season, but he's still been plenty good. That said, his worst start of the year came against these very Tigers—and Montero. His sweeper abandoned him that night, and it showed. If Bubic can tighten things up and trust his full arsenal, he gives KC the edge in what should be a winnable ballgame.

So grab your Royals gear, settle in, and get ready. This is the kind of series that can define a season. Let's see if they can deliver.