After a stellar performance from Bobby Witt Jr., who racked up four hits in Thursday's game, the Kansas City Royals are set to host the Detroit Tigers in what promises to be an exciting AL Central showdown on Friday.

The Royals (17-21) currently sit fourth in the division, but they've been showing signs of life lately, going 6-4 in their last 10 games. Kansas City has been particularly tough at home with an 11-9 record, though they've struggled in tight contests, posting just a 3-5 mark in one-run games.

On the other side, the Tigers (18-20) are second in the AL Central but have had trouble on the road, where they're 6-14. However, Detroit boasts the fifth-best on-base percentage in the American League at .326, showing they can manufacture runs even away from home.

Friday's matchup features an intriguing pitching duel. The Royals will send left-hander Kris Bubic (3-1, 3.32 ERA) to the mound, who has been dominant with 42 strikeouts in his starts. The Tigers counter with Keider Montero (2-2, 3.48 ERA), who has been solid with a 1.01 WHIP and 25 strikeouts. Oddsmakers have the Royals as slight favorites at -144, with the over/under set at 8.5 runs.

Witt has been on fire, going 13-for-42 with three home runs in his last 10 games, while teammate Vinnie Pasquantino has been a consistent threat with five homers and 19 RBIs on the season. For the Tigers, Dillon Dingler has emerged as a key run producer with six home runs and 26 RBIs, and Spencer Torkelson is showing signs of heating up with two homers in his last 10 games.

Both teams are dealing with significant injury lists. The Royals are without key players like Jonathan India and Carlos Estevez, while the Tigers have a lengthy injured list that includes veterans Justin Verlander and Javier Baez, as well as young arms like Tarik Skubal and Jackson Jobe.

This is the fourth meeting between these division rivals this season, and with both teams looking to climb the standings, expect a competitive battle under the lights in Kansas City.