The Kansas City Royals will begin a four-game series with the Detroit Tigers on Thursday at Comerica Park. It's an American League Central rivalry as we share our MLB odds series and make a Royals-Tigers prediction and pick.
Royals-Tigers Projected Starters
Seth Lugo vs. Keider Montero
Seth Lugo (12-5) with a 2.66 ERA
Last Start: Lugo struggled in his last start, going 6 1/3 innings, allowing six earned runs, five hits, striking out two and walking two in a loss to the Chicago Cubs.
2024 Road Splits: Lugo has been efficient on the road, going 7-2 with a 2.51 ERA over 11 starts on the road.
Keider Montero (1-4) with a 6.38 ERA
Last Start: Montero labored in his last outing, going five innings, allowing six runs, five earned, eight hits, striking out five, and walking one in a loss to the Minnesota Twins.
2024 Home Splits: Montero has struggled at home, going 0-3 with a 6.84 ERA.
Here are the MLB Odds, courtesy of FanDuel.
MLB Odds: Royals-Tigers Odds
Kansas City Royals: -1.5 (+114)
Moneyline: -108
Detroit Tigers: +1.5 (-137)
Moneyline: +128
Over: 8.5 (-102)
Under: 8.5 (-120)
How to Watch Royals vs. Tigers
Time: 6:40 PM ET/3:40 PM PT
TV: Bally Sports Kansas City
Stream: fuboTV (Click for free trial)
Why The Royals Will Cover The Spread/Win
The Royals find themselves embroiled in a massive playoff race. Currently, they are clinging to the final wildcard spot in the American League and hope to maintain that success. But to hold onto the final spot, they need their offense to hit the baseball consistently. Therefore, they need some of their talent to maintain their power.
Bobby Witt Jr. slugged a grand slam earlier this week. Now, he will look to do better against a team he has struggled against, as he is batting just .255 with 37 hits, four home runs, 23 RBIs, and 19 runs over 36 games in his career against them. Salvador Perez Jr. has done well this season. Additionally, he has done well against Detroit, hitting .277 with 28 home runs, 94 RBIs, and 64 runs over 168 games against them. Vinnie Pasquantino is another player who can rake. But he has struggled against the Tigers, batting just .234 with 15 hits, three home runs, eight RBIs, and six runs over 18 games against them,
Lugo has generated just one quality start over his past three outings. Ultimately, the Royals need Lugo to be their ace. When Lugo leaves the game, he will turn it over to a bullpen that is just 24th in baseball in team ERA. James McArthur and Chris Stratton have shared closing duties as neither has gained a stronghold on the job.
The Royals will cover the spread if Witt, Perez, and Pasquantino can clobber the baseball and help the Royals generate some early scoring. Then, they need Lugo to have a good game and avoid mistakes against a lineup that can still hit the baseball.
Why The Tigers Will Cover The Spread/Win
The Tigers are likely not making the playoffs as they have stumbled through mediocrity this season. Sadly, they just are not hitting the baseball well, and it is costing them games. It does not help that Kerry Carpenter has been out for a few months with an injury. Therefore, their lineup has faced some adversity.
Matt Vierling is the only batter in the lineup who has shown any consistency in the lineup. But even he is struggling to maintain that consistency. Regardless, he has done well against the Royals in recent memory. Vierling is batting .357 with five hits, one home run, five RBIs, and two runs over the last five against Kansas City. But who else will step up and create some runs? The Tigers just traded away some pieces, and they will likely need someone new to step up.
Montero has only two quality starts over his past seven outings. Unfortunately, he is not having the consistency he needs to give the Tigers the best chance. When Montero finishes, he will turn it over to a bullpen that is only 19th in team ERA. Jason Foley is the closer in Detroit and 2-3 with a 4.10 ERA with 15 saves in 18 chances.
The Tigers will cover the spread if Vierling can batter the baseball and get some help. Then, they need Montero to have a quality start and keep the Royals in line.
Final Royals-Tigers Prediction & Pick
The Royals are 4-2 against the Tigers this season. Ultimately, they have done a good job of handling their divisional rivals so far. The Royals are also one of the best teams in baseball in covering the spread, while the Tigers are mediocre at best. Furthermore, Lugo is one of the best in the game and is due for a strong start. We expect Lugo to dominate this one as he faces a lineup that has not done well over the season. Consequently, the Royals cover the spread.
Click here for more betting news and predictions
Final Royals-Tigers Prediction & Pick: Kansas City Royals: -1.5 (+114)
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