The Detroit Tigers are in another must-win series situation against the Kansas City Royals for their final pit stop before returning to Comerica Park. Detroit is coming off back-to-back series defeats after dropping the series finale in Pittsburgh via a Pirates walk-off.

The Tigers have many advantages as they begin their series against the Royals. They will send Troy Melton to the mound to help get the roster back on track, along with rookie Kevin McGonigle, who continues to lead the Detroit offense in his impressive rookie season in Major League Baseball.

When spring training began, the Tigers were unsure whether McGonigle would make the MLB roster out of camp. Fast forward to the end of spring training, McGonigle not only made the roster but has quickly become a star for the franchise, breaking countless Detroit rookie records left and right.

He's done enough this season to be the headliner option for the AL Rookie of the Year Award, especially with how he continues to impress at the plate. Freshly 22, McGonigle has another opportunity to prove why he's been the league's best rookie against a team he'll become very familiar with in his time with Detroit.

McGonigle's Road Numbers Are Impressive

Ahead of the series opener, McGonigle enters play with a .263 AVG in August, three home runs, 13 RBIs, 10 walks and 12 strikeouts, and an OPS of .770. For the entire season, McGonigle is hitting .282 with 13 home runs, 52 RBIs, a .808 OPS and has one fewer walk than strikeouts (77-78).

His road numbers further prove that the moment isn't too big for the rookie, and the hostile territory has become a place where he thrives. Entering the series, McGonigle holds these road numbers, as featured on MLB Network.

Stats in 62 G Away From Comerica Park:

.295 AVG
.856 OPS
72 H
10 HR

His numbers playing in front of Tigers fans aren't unimpressive to say the least either: hitting .268 at Comerica Park, with three home runs, 43 walks to 39 strikeouts, and scoring 40 runs.

Should McGonigle be named AL Rookie of the Year, it would be the first time a Tiger has won the award since Michael Fulmer in 2016. But there's still time in the season for McGonigle to boost his credibility.

Regardless of whether McGonigle plays third base or shortstop, the Tigers love having him in the middle of the lineup. With the Royals having Bobby Witt Jr. for this series, as he was placed on the injured list the last time these division rivals played, McGonigle looks to keep pace with the Royals' firestarter.