The Detroit Tigers are prepared to battle against the Kansas City Royals at Comerica Park. The first pitch is scheduled for 1:10 p.m. ET and Fox Sports Kansas City will be showing the action.
Kansas City Royals vs. Detroit Tigers Odds
Oddsmakers have listed Kansas City (-180) as the favorite over Detroit (+160). The total sits at 9.5 runs and bettors can wager on the over for +100 and the under for -120. The game’s current runline odds stand at +115 for taking the Royals +1.5 runs and -125 for the Tigers -1.5 runs.
The Tigers are 0-3 SU and 0-1 ATS. The team has lost 1.0 units for bettors taking the moneyline and 1.4 units against the spread (ATS). The Royals are 0-2 SU and have gone 1-1 ATS. In total, the team’s lost 2.3 units for bettors taking the moneyline this year, but have gained 0.0 units ATS.
Detroit games have had an over/under record of one-0 in 2018. Royals games have gone over one time, gone under once and pushed on zero occasions.
The Royals just lost a 4-3 game to the White Sox, while the Tigers are coming off of an 8-6 loss against the Pirates.
The right-handed Jason Hammel will get the start for the visiting Royals. Hammel started 32 games last year and finished the season 8-13 overall with a 5.29 ERA and a 1.43 WHIP. He made five starts against Detroit in 2017 and compiled a 1-0 record against the Tigers with a 4.13 ERA and 20 strikeouts.
The Tigers are rolling with lefty Francisco Liriano as their starter. Liriano started 18 games last year and finished the season 6-7 overall with a 5.66 ERA and a 1.63 WHIP.
As a unit, Detroit’s pitchers have given up 7.3 runs per game overall this season. The team’s starting pitching staff has a 4.24 ERA, 1.12 WHIP and 7.4 strikeouts per nine innings. The bullpen has an 8.36 ERA, 1.64 WHIP and 6.4 K/9. In zero games against AL Central opponents, Tigers starters have an ERA of and the bullpen’s ERA is .
The Detroit offense is putting up 5.3 runs per outing, including per game against divisional foes and 5.3 per game over its last five. The team has a slash-line of .237/.333/.398 over its last five matchups and is 0-3 SU during that span.
The Tigers’ hitters have been led by first baseman Miguel Cabrera and right fielder Nicholas Castellanos. Cabrera is hitting .357/.438/.786 with five hits, four RBIs and three runs scored, while Castellanos is batting .385 with five hits, two RBIs and four runs.
Cabrera performed well at home in 2017. Over 250 plate appearances, he slashed .288/.340/.489 (compared to his overall season line of .249/.329/.397).
Kansas City Royals at Detroit Tigers MLB Prediction
Predictions: SU Winner – Tigers, ATS Winner – Royals, O/U – OVER
Betting Trends
- The Tigers went 8-11 SU against the Royals last season.
- The Royals’ bullpen managed an ERA of 3.12 against the Tigers last year.
