The Detroit Tigers will welcome the Kansas City Royals to Comerica Park in Game 2 of an AL Central doubleheader. The game gets underway 7:10 p.m. ET and Fox Sports Kansas City is in line to showcase the matchup.
Kansas City Royals vs. Detroit Tigers Odds
Oddsmakers are listing Kansas City (+100) as the dog to Detroit (-110). 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 -210 for taking the Royals +1.5 runs and +175 for the Tigers -1.5.
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 over the early portions of the season and 4.8 units ATS. Kansas City has 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. They’ve lost 2.2 units for moneyline bettors and 1.4 units ATS. Detroit has a 3-4 ATS record over its last seven outings and the total has gone under in four of those seven.
Detroit games have a 6-9 over/under record so far in 2018. Kansas City has an over/under record of 6-9-1.
Right-hander Jason Hammel is getting the nod for the visiting Royals. Hammel is 0-1 with a 3.86 ERA and 12 strikeouts. He’s 0-1 with three strikeouts and a 9.00 ERA against Detroit this year (five starts).
The Tigers are turning to lefty Daniel Norris (0-1, 7.11 ERA), who has nine strikeouts and three walks as well as a WHIP of 1.74. Norris has yet to face the Royals this year, but he made three starts against them in 2017, posting a 1-1 record with a 5.27 ERA.
Detroit’s pitching staff has given up 4.6 runs per game overall this season as a unit. The team’s starters have an ERA of 3.95, a WHIP of 1.20 and a strikeouts-per-nine of 6.9. The bullpen has a 4.45 ERA, 1.40 WHIP and 8.8 K/9. In nine games against AL Central foes, Tigers starters have an ERA of 3.40 and the bullpen’s ERA is 2.18.
Detroit’s hitters have produced 4.5 runs per outing, including 3.0 per game against divisional foes and 6.4 per game over their last five. The team’s hit .330/.367/.573 over its last five matchups and is 3-2 SU during that span.
Third baseman Jeimer Candelario and first baseman Miguel Cabrera have led the Tigers’ offense so far. 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 in 2017. Over 62 such plate appearances, he slashed .365/.468/.538 (compared to his overall season line of .283/.359/.425).
For the visitors, Kansas City’s pitchers have allowed 5.6 runs per game and its starting pitchers 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 and a K/9 of 7.41.
Royals hitters have slashed .237/.307/.354 on their 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 outings (0-5 SU).
Kansas City’s offense has been powered by third baseman Mike Moustakas and first baseman Lucas Duda. 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.
Compared to his total season slash line of .217/.322/.496, Duda appeared to enjoy hitting lefties on the road last year, putting up a slash line of .271/.357/.625 across 56 such plate appearances.
The Royals have lost 3.0 units and are 3-4 ATS when facing a left-handed starting pitcher this season. The over has hit in three of those games, compared to four 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 right-handed starting pitcher. The over’s hit in five of those games, compared to nine which went under the total.
Kansas City Royals at Detroit Tigers MLB Tip
Predictions: SU Winner – Tigers, ATS Winner – Royals, O/U – OVER
Betting Trends
- 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.
