In Game 1 of their divisional doubleheader, the Kansas City Royals are set to face off against the Detroit Tigers at Comerica Park. The matchup will begin at 1:10 p.m. ET and fans looking to watch it can tune in to Fox Sports Kansas City.
Kansas City Royals at Detroit Tigers Odds
Vegas is listing Kansas City (+120) as the dog to Detroit (-130). Bettors can wager on the game’s total with odds sitting at -110 for over nine runs and -110 for under nine. The game’s runline odds sit at -175 for betting the Royals +1.5 runs and +155 for the Tigers -1.5 runs.
The Royals have gone only 3-13 SU this year and are 7-9 against the spread (ATS). They’ve lost 9.2 units for moneyline gamblers in this young season and 4.8 units ATS. Kansas City’s covered the spread just twice over its last seven games and the total has gone under in three of those seven. The Tigers, on the other hand, are 7-9 SU and 7-8 ATS. The team has lost 2.2 units for moneyline bettors and 1.4 units ATS. Detroit has a 3-4 ATS record over its last seven games and the total has gone under in four of those seven.
Detroit games have had an over/under record of 6-9 so far in 2018. The Royals have an over/under record of 6-9-1.
Jakob Junis is getting the nod for the visiting Royals. The right-handed Junis is 2-1 with a 1.93 ERA and 16 strikeouts. He’s 1-0 with six strikeouts and a 0.00 ERA against Detroit this year (two starts).
The Tigers will put the ball in the right hand of Michael Fulmer (1-2, 3.86 ERA, 1.41 WHIP), who’s got nine strikeouts and five walks. Fulmer hasn’t faced the Royals yet this year, but he made three starts against them in 2017, posting a 1-2 record with a 4.66 ERA and 15 strikeouts.
As a unit, Detroit’s pitchers have given up 4.6 runs per game overall this season. Its starters have a 3.95 ERA, 1.20 WHIP and 6.9 strikeouts per nine innings. The bullpen has a 4.45 ERA, 1.40 WHIP and 8.8 K/9. In nine divisional games, Tigers starters have an ERA of 3.40 and the bullpen’s ERA is 2.18.
Detroit’s hitters have put up 4.5 runs per contest, including 3.0 per game against divisional foes and 6.4 per game over their last five. The team has slashed .330/.367/.573 over its last five games and is 3-2 SU during that span.
Third baseman Jeimer Candelario and first baseman Miguel Cabrera have led the Tigers’ hitters this year. Candelario is hitting .284/.360/.537 with 19 hits, eight RBIs and five runs scored, while Cabrera’s line is .283/.353/.467 with 17 hits, 10 RBIs and six runs.
Candelario seemed to enjoy hitting righties at home last season. Across 62 such plate appearances, he slashed .365/.468/.538 (his overall season line was .283/.359/.425).
For the visiting squad, Kansas City’s pitching staff allowed 5.6 runs per game and its starters own a 3.65 ERA, 1.26 WHIP and 8.12 K/9. The bullpen has an ERA of 7.94, along with a WHIP of 1.26.
The Royals offense has slashed .237/.307/.354 on its way to 3.2 runs scored per game this year, including 2.3 runs per game against divisional foes and 3.8 per game over the team’s last five contests (0-5 SU).
Third baseman Mike Moustakas and first baseman Lucas Duda have led Kansas City’s offense. Moustakas is hitting .348/.368/.636 with four home runs, 13 RBIs and 10 runs scored, while Duda (.250/.316/.423) is up to three homers, 10 RBIs and six runs scored.
The Royals have lost 6.2 units and are 4-5 ATS when facing a right-handed starting pitcher this year. The over has cashed in three of those games, compared to five that’ve hit the under in such games. On the other hand, the Tigers have lost 1.2 units and are 7-7 ATS when facing a righty starter. The over has cashed in five of those games, compared to nine that went under the total.
Kansas City Royals vs. Detroit Tigers Free MLB Pick
Predictions: SU Winner – Tigers, ATS Winner – Royals, O/U – OVER
Betting Notes
- The Royals have lost nine of their last 10 games SU.
- Detroit has recorded 20.1 Runs + Hits + Errors per game over its last 10 contests and 30.8 over its last five.
- The Royals have hit nine home runs in their last 10 games, including seven over their last five.
