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DETROIT -- Fulmer, Norris and Boyd.Not quite a law firm, but a trio definitely representing the Detroit Tigers postseason chances as they argue their case in front of the high court of a 162-game season.Rookie right-hander Michael Fulmer plus callow lefties Daniel Norris and Matt Boyd will pitch for Detroit this weekend against the visiting Kansas City Royals as the Tigers try to enhance their playoff credentials.We wouldnt be here without them, Tigers manager Brad Ausmus has said on several occasions. We would not be here if those three guys werent pitching the way they have.Detroit claimed at least temporary possession of the second wild card spot by a half-game Thursday night with a 4-2 victory at Minnesota, completing a sweep of the Twins to extend its winning streak to four.The Tigers are a half-game up on Baltimore, which was swept in a four-game set with Boston.Kansas City has already been dethroned as champions of the American League Central and is being slowly locked out of the wild card door. It has won just three of its last 11 games after its 5-2 loss Thursday night at Cleveland.Youre not going to live a charmed life forever, and we did last year by not really suffering any major injuries, Royals manager Ned Yost said. This year we did (sustain injuries).Ive been very proud of the way this team continues to battle through all adversity. They dont quit. Theyre every bit into these games as they were at this time last year. Thats a good trait to have.Opposing Fulmer, a leading candidate for AL Rookie of the Year with a 10-7 record and 3.03 ERA, will be tough lefty Danny Duffy. Norris works Saturday and Boyd on Sunday for Detroit.Duffy (12-2, 3.18 ERA) has a franchise-record 181 strikeouts for a left-hander and his dozen victories are the most by a Kansas City southpaw since Bruce Chen had 12 in 2011.Yost said earlier this week he doubted if center fielder Lorenzo Cain would return to the field this season. Hes been bothered for weeks by a wrist sprain that limits his ability to swing a bat.Third baseman Mike Moustakas has missed much of the season with a knee injury that required surgery, although Cheslor Cuthbert has filled in well.You get Moose back, you get Lorenzo Cain back (next season), Yost said. Those are two pretty big bats that have been missing in this lineup for a while now.Fulmer is making his fourth start against Kansas City this season and is looking to beat the Royals for the first time. Fulmer is 0-2 with a 2.75 ERA in his first three starts against the Royals. In 19 2/3 innings, hes allowed Kansas City 18 hits, including a pair of home runs.Detroit hopes second baseman Ian Kinsler, who missed the Minnesota series after suffering a concussion Sunday when hit on the top of the helmet by Clevelands Trevor Bauer, can return to action for the series opener against Kansas City.Designated hitter Victor Martinez, hit on the left knee by Bauer in the same game, missed the opener against the Twins plus the three innings of the rained out game, but belted a pinch-hit three-run home run in Thursdays first game and was the DH in the second.Its not a secret were running out of time, Martinez said. We just keep playing the games. See what happens. Heading home for the final stretch.Justin Upton hit a tiebreaking solo home run in Thursdays first-game 9-2 win, and since Aug. 20 has hit 13 of his 25 home runs and driven in a league-best 33 runs over that period.Justin Upton, in terms of being a story, Ausmus said, think about some of the home runs hes hit over the past month.Hes had some big home runs throughout the month that hes gotten hot. Probably as many big home runs on the team compacted into one month. . He just needed to be his best twisting, turning acrobatic self. "I didnt need to be anybody else, I just needed to be myself and be aggressive," said Burks, who scored a career-high 34 points to spark the Utah Jazz to a 118-103 victory over the Denver Nuggets on Monday night. . The return match will take place next Wednesday. Udinese leads Fiorentina 2-1 in the other semifinal. Napoli staged a second-half comeback from two goals down after Gervinhos opener and a stunning strike from Kevin Strootman. . Kuznetsov, who was selected by the Capitals in the first round of the 2010 NHL Entry Draft, has been playing for his hometown team Chelyabinsk Traktor of the KHL. . The head of USA Boxing came out swinging Tuesday with an open letter to Tyson -- a former Olympic hopeful himself -- that accuses the former heavyweight champion of trying to poach fighters who might be candidates for the U. . Durant finished with 24 points and 13 rebounds, Jackson matched his career high with 23 points on 10-of-14 shooting and Lamb scored 12 points on 5-of-7 shooting, lifting the Thunder to a 94-88 win over San Antonio and snapping the Spurs 11-game winning streak.With continuing action in the second round of the NBA Playoff, here are my five quick thoughts from the NBA. 1. ROY HIBBERT (Pacers): Really like the strategy of the Pacers on Saturday night. Pound New York inside and make them pay dearly for their lack of interior defense, particularly when Tyson Chandler is out of the lineup. Hibbert got deep position and made them pay with his good footwork and skill level in the post. Hes an improving guy with a developing comfort level. It takes "big guy" time and patience from everyone around them to hit their stride. Hes not there yet but I loved what I saw from him. 2. TAYSHAUN PRINCE (Grizzlies): He really fits. Guards, moves without the ball, makes timely plays and is very efficient. So nice having a veteran player who has played in a ton of big games from his time in Detroit. Hes a calm influence on their team. He doesnt need the ball a lot and when he has it, he knows what to do with it. New lease on life for him after being mired in a rebuilding situation in Detroit. Good pickup. 3. IMAN SHUMPERT (Knicks): Not able to practice Monday for New York due to sore knee. Hopefully hell be ready to go Tuesday night. Love how hes bounced back from injury/surgery. Ma, does he guard! He has exceptional quickness and strength and is a load to deal with in terms of trying to feel comfortable offensively against him. His offensive game is getting more fluid and hes got major league explosivenesss in his game.ddddddddddddI look at him and Im really fascinated with his potential. This could be a huge off-season for him for his improvement and all of this post-season experience will make him that much better and a more aware player. 4. HARRISON BARNES (Warriors): His team really needed him on Sunday and he delivered. Yes, it took a whole lot of shots for him to do it yet the fact that hes in a winning environment and being force fed the minutes and being asked to produce in tight spots propels his growth as a player in rapid fashion. He really looks like he belongs out there. I give coach Mark Jackson a ton of credit for staying with him and believing in him. His faith is paying off. Many coaches wont throw rookies to the wolves - theyve thrown him here in a winning environment and look at the results. Good vision. 5. LIONEL HOLLINS (Grizzlies): Cant believe this guy is still coaching without a contract for next season. You dont see it affecting his players one bit. They have deep respect for him and he makes no issue of his status and they just go out and play their game. He has really matured from when he started as a head coach in his previous stint in Vancouver. The man has paid his dues in the league as a player, assistant coach and now head coach. Nothing fazes him. He teaches/coaches a hard-nosed and defensive/power oriented style and it works for him. Two more wins versus OKC and Id be shocked if he doesnt get his extension. He deserves it. ' ' '
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