(Sports Network) - The Detroit Tigers begin what could be a crucial nine-game road trip for the struggling club with tonight's clash against the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim.

Detroit enters this West Coast trek, which also includes stops in Seattle and Oakland, tied with perennial doormat Kansas City for last place in the American League Central with a 21-29 record. Troubles away from the Motor City have certainly contributed to that disappointing mark, as the Tigers have gone a poor 9-15 as the visitor so far this season.

The Tigers come in after losing two of three tests at home to division-rival Minnesota over the weekend. After pounding out 17 hits in a 19-3 rout of the Twins on Saturday, Detroit's offense was held squarely in check by the Minnesota staff in Sunday's 6-1 loss.

Detroit mustered just eight hits off Glen Perkins and two Twins relievers, three of which came from Carlos Guillen. The third baseman also accounted for the Tigers' lone run with a second-inning homer.

Justin Verlander was strong on the mound for Detroit, as the standout right- hander held Minnesota to one run and five hits over seven innings of work. He left with the contest tied at 1-1 and did not factor in the final outcome.

Minnesota went ahead to stay on Jason Kubel's grand slam off Francisco Cruceta (1-1) in the top of the eighth.

The Tigers' inconsistent offense will have to go up against a pitcher who's been going very well as of late in the opener of this three-game set. In four starts during the month of May, Anaheim's Jon Garland has amassed a 2-0 record and a stellar 2.25 earned run average while not surrendering a home run over that span, which covers 28 total innings.

Garland improved his season record to 5-3 after allowing three runs on eight hits over six innings in Wednesday's 4-3 decision over Toronto at Rogers Centre.

The lanky right-hander has also had good career success against the Tigers during his time with the Chicago White Sox. Garland owns a 13-6 record and a 4.08 ERA in 24 starts versus Detroit and has won eight of his last 10 decisions against today's foe.

The Tigers will send out grizzled veteran Kenny Rogers, who's beginning to show signs of a turnaround from a rough beginning to his season. The 43-year- old has won four of his last five decisions after starting off this campaign by losing his first three starts.

Rogers benefited from strong production out of his offense in Wednesday's 9-4 victory over Seattle. In that game, the left-hander lasted 5 1/3 innings and gave up four runs on eight hits to pick up the win.

This will be Rogers' 62nd career appearance and 45th start against the Angels, and he has compiled a 17-15 record with a 4.07 ERA lifetime versus Anaheim.

The Angels return home tonight after winning four of six tests during a week- long road trip. The current AL West leaders were denied a chance for a three- game sweep at Chicago on Sunday, however, as the White Sox' Carlos Quentin slugged a game-wining solo homer in the bottom of the ninth inning to lift his club to a dramatic 3-2 decision.

Quentin also belted a two-run homer in the third inning and now leads all AL players with 14 long balls on the season.

John Lackey (1-1) went the distance for the Angels in a losing cause. The 2007 All-Star worked eight-plus innings and yielded six hits while walking just one batter.

Anaheim managed just three hits on the evening, but one was a two-run homer by Gary Matthews Jr.

The Angels have emerged victorious in five of their last six matchups with Detroit and took two of three from the Tigers at Comerica Park last month. Detroit was swept in a three-game series during their last visit to Angel Stadium, which took place last July.