Detroit righthander Max Scherzer has become the pitcher the Tigers thought he could be, and more.

Scherzer is 16-6 with a 3.77 ERA and is going back and forth with teammate Justin Verlander for the major league lead in strikeouts. He's 10-1 in his past 14 starts. On Wednesday, he fell one strikeout short of becoming the first pitcher since Pedro Martinez in 2002 to fan eight or more batters in 11 consecutive starts. He also has walked two or fewer batters in each of his past nine starts.

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Royals DH Billy Butler entered the weekend with 92 RBI and 19 games left in the season. He has a chance to become the first Royal to drive in 100 runs in a season since Carlos Beltran in 2003.

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The Indians have taken Jeanmar Gomez out of the rotation and given lefthander David Huff another opportunity. Huff has been in and out of the rotation in recent seasons and is 4-5 with a 4.92 ERA in 10 games (nine starts) against the Twins.

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White Sox righthander Gavin Floyd is back in the rotation, but concerns remain about discomfort in his elbow. He's set to start on Monday in a make-up game against Detroit at U.S. Cellular Field. Floyd reported no unusual soreness after throwing 70 pitches in 4 2/3 innings on Wednesday, but the White Sox have 17 pitchers on the roster, which gives them options.