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Runelvys Hernandez will take the mound for this afternoon’s game against the Tigers. After missing all of 2004 recovering from Tommy John surgery, a healthy Herrnandez figures prominently in the Royals plans for the future. Turn back the clock two years and Hernandez was one of the keys to the Royals jumping out to the fast start and contending for most of the season. Here’s the line from his first six starts in 2003:

4-0, 39.2 IP, 24 H, 6 ER, 16 BB, 21 K, 1.36 ERA

A line like that will win you one or two pitcher of the month awards.

Detroit will send lefty Mike Maroth to the hill today. That means the right side of the Royals platoon will get to play today. Spring training sensation Emil Brown should start see his first big league action since 2001 this afternoon.

Wouldn’t a win be nice?