Whit Merrifield and the Kansas City Royals are preparing to square off against their division rival Detroit Tigers at Comerica Park in a Friday showdown. The first pitch is scheduled for 7:10 p.m. ET and Fox Sports Kansas City will be televising the action.
Kansas City Royals vs. Detroit Tigers Odds
The Tigers are 34-78 straight up (SU) and 44-67 against the spread (ATS). They’ve lost 32.0 units for moneyline bettors and 31.4 units ATS. Detroit has covered the spread only twice in its last seven games and the under has hit in three of those seven. The Royals are 41-75 SU and have gone 54-61 ATS. Overall, the club has lost 19.6 units for moneyline gamblers and 18.9 units ATS. Kansas City has covered the spread only once in its last seven games and the over has hit in four of those seven.
Detroit games have a 50-53-8 over/under record in 2019. The Royals have an over/under record of 56-51-8.
Brad Keller will get the nod for the visiting Royals. The right-handed Keller (7-11, 3.95 ERA) has recorded 106 strikeouts in 146 innings so far. He’s 1-1 with 16 strikeouts and a 2.79 ERA against Detroit this year (three starts).
The Tigers are putting the ball in the right hand of Edwin Jackson (1-5, 11.12 ERA, 2.19 WHIP), who’s got 19 strikeouts and 13 walks this season. Jackson has yet to face the Royals this year and did not record a start against them in 2018.
Kansas City’s pitchers have allowed 5.3 runs per game and its starting pitchers own a 5.24 ERA, 1.43 WHIP and 7.44 K/9. The bullpen has an ERA of 4.82, along with a WHIP of 1.43 and a K-per-9 of 8.45.
The Royals offense has slashed .246/.312/.403 on its way to 4.3 runs scored per game this season, including 4.6 runs per game against divisional foes and 4.4 per game over the team’s last five contests (1-4 SU).
Kansas City’s offensive production has been sparked by second baseman Whit Merrifield and left fielder Alex Gordon, who’ve collectively swatted 24 home runs. Merrifield is hitting .303/.357/.479 with 12 home runs, 56 RBIs, 78 runs and 16 stolen bases. Gordon (.270/.343/.427) has produced 12 homers, 63 RBIs and 62 runs scored.
In the other dugout, Detroit’s pitching staff has given up 5.6 runs per game overall this season. Its starters have a 5.25 ERA, 1.42 WHIP and 8.5 strikeouts per nine innings. The bullpen has a 5.08 ERA, 1.46 WHIP and 8.3 K/9. In 47 divisional games, Tigers starters have an ERA of 6.35 and the bullpen’s ERA is 5.24.
The Detroit offense has produced 3.7 runs per outing, including 4.2 per game against divisional foes and 5.6 per game over its last five. The team has a slash-line of .290/.372/.494 over its last five contests and is 2-3 SU during that span.
Nicholas Castellanos and Miguel Cabrera have led the Tigers’ offense this year. Castellanos is hitting .273/.328/.462 with 11 home runs, 37 RBIs and 57 runs scored, while Cabrera’s line is .285/.345/.393 with eight homers, 45 RBIs and 30 runs scored.
The Royals have lost 15.2 units and are 40-44 ATS when facing a righty starter this season. The over has hit in 43 of those games, compared to 37 that’ve gone under against right-handed starting pitchers. On the other hand, the Tigers have lost 32.3 units and are 32-57 ATS when facing a right-handed starting pitcher. The over’s hit in 36 of those games, compared to 47 that’ve cashed the under.
Royals vs. Tigers MLB Tip
Predictions: SU Winner – Tigers, ATS Winner – Royals, O/U – UNDER
Betting Notes
- Kansas City has recorded 15 extra-base hits over its last five games. Detroit has 17 XBH over its last five.
- Detroit has posted 24 Runs + Hits + Errors per game over its last 10 games and 26 over its last five.
- The Royals have hit 16 home runs in their last 10 games, including 11 over their last five.
- The Royals have a total OPS of .714 this season and an OPS of .727 against right-handed pitchers. The Tigers’ OPS stands at .682 overall and .674 against righties.
