This ball was crushed, but only ended up a very loud out. (Getty Images)

The drama is Miguel Cabrera's quest to become baseball's first offensive triple-crown winner since 1967 heightened Wednesday night in Detroit. Not only did Cabrera get robbed of what would have been his 43rd home run, but he went 0-for-4, moving his batting average down to within striking range of several other AL players.

Still, he's right on the cusp of this thing and one big day would put him in command of all three categories. Will that day be Thursday? Luis Mendoza takes the hill for the Royals against Cabrera and his Tigers. Cabrera is 3-for-9 with a home run and three RBI against Mendoza in his career.

Batting average

Cabrera, .327
Mike Trout, .323
Joe Mauer, .323
Derek Jeter, .320

The Twins are idle, so Mauer's average will be until Friday, too.

Trout gets Hisashi Iwakuma, and he's only 1-for-6 (.167) against the Mariners starter this season.

Home runs

Josh Hamilton, 43
Cabrera, 42
Edwin Encarnacion, 42
Adam Dunn, 41
Curtis Granderson, 40

Hamilton faces A's starter Travis Blackley, who has allowed eight homers in 95 2/3 innings this year. Hamilton is 2-for-9 with zero homers in his career against Blackley.

Encarnacion is facing Ivan Nova of the Yankees, and Nova has coughed up 27 bombs in 165 2/3 innings this year. Against Nova, Encarnacion is 3-for-12 with zero homers in his career.

RBI

Cabrera, 133
Hamilton, 124

Still nothing to see here unless Hamilton explodes.

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