Kansas City, MO (My Sportsbook) - Paul Byrd goes for his 18th win of the season when the Kansas City Royals try to win back-to-back games tonight in the second of a three-game series against the Detroit Tigers at Kauffman Stadium.

In Tuesday's opener, Aaron Guiel launched a pinch-hit, three-run homer as the In Tuesday's opener, Aaron Guiel launched a pinch-hit, three-run homer as the Royals destroyed the Tigers, 17-2.

Michael Tucker went 3-for-5 with two RBI and two runs scored while Chuck Knoblauch added a solo shot and Raul Ibanez hit a two-run homer for the Royals, who have won two of their last three and three of their last five games.

Miguel Asencio went five innings for the win. Asencio (4-7) gave up two runs on five hits to snap a personal three-game slide and pick up his first victory since August 25.

Shane Loux took the loss in his third career start. Loux (0-3) allowed six runs -- five earned -- on five hits in four innings of work for the loss.

Byrd takes the mound for the Royals tonight, seeking his third straight win. After getting pounded for 10 runs on September 9, the righthander has allowed only two runs in his last two starts, a span of 16 1/3 innings. On Thursday, he yielded one run on six hits through 7 1/3 innings in a 2-1 win at Chicago.

Byrd, who has pitched seven innings or more in three straight and four of his last five starts, is 3-1 with a sparkling 1.39 ERA in four starts versus the Tigers this season -- including three complete games.

He last faced Detroit on September 14 and surrendered one run on four hits through nine frames in a 5-1 win at Comerica Park. Lifetime, he is 4-1 with a 2.15 ERA against Detroit.

In 14 starts at home this year, Byrd is 8-5 with a 4.05 ERA.

Countering for the visitors is knuckleballer Steve Sparks, who is a miserable 0-5 in his last six starts. On Wednesday, the righthander yielded two runs on eight hits over eight innings in a 2-0 loss to Minnesota. In his last three starts, Sparks has surrendered seven runs through 14 2/3 innings. He has not won since August 16.

Sparks is 1-2 with a 5.14 ERA in three starts against the Royals this year. He last faced KC on June 27 and permitted five runs on nine hits over 6 1/3 innings in a 5-2 loss.

For his career, Sparks is 6-3 with a 2.82 ERA versus the Royals. On the road, he has gone 5-9 with a 6.14 ERA in 17 games (16 starts).

The Royals own a 9-8 edge in the season series. Kansas City is 6-1 against the Tigers at home this year. Over the past two seasons, the Royals have gone 14-3 versus Detroit at home.