The Detroit Tigers (36-49) and Kansas City Royals (32-52) start a 4-game A.L. Central series Monday with a doubleheader at Kauffman Stadium. First pitch for Game 1 is slated for 2:10 p.m. ET. Let’s analyze Tipico Sportsbook‘s lines around the Tigers vs. Royals odds with MLB picks and predictions.
Season series: tied 3-3.
The Tigers started what is a 14-game trip that spans the All-Star break by splitting a 4-game series at the Chicago White Sox over the weekend. Detroit scored 2 runs or fewer in 3 of those games and batted just .188/.252/.281 (.533 OPS) for the series. The Bengals own a mere .605 OPS over their last 6 road games.
The Royals are continuing a home stand that opened by taking 2-of-3 games from the Cleveland Guardians. After more than 2 months of bottom-5 production from its offense, Kansas City has come alive at the plate lately. The Royals own a respectable .747 OPS over their last 30 games.
Tigers at Royals projected starters
RHP Michael Pineda vs. RHP Brad Keller
Pineda (2-3, 3.62 ERA) has logged a 1.18 WHIP, 1.7 BB/9 and 4.7 K/9 through 32 1/3 IP over 7 starts.
- Has pitched 2 games in July after missing about 6 weeks with a fractured right middle finger.
- Current Kansas City bats own an aggregate .860 OPS against him.
Keller (4-9, 4.37 ERA) has made 16 starts. He has a 1.34 WHIP, 3.1 BB/9 and 5.9 K/9 through 90 2/3 IP.
- Owns a 3.00 ERA over his last 5 starts against the Tigers.
- Current Detroit bats own an aggregate 640 OPS against him.
- Has been tagged with a 7.85 ERA over his last 4 home starts.
Tigers at Royals odds and lines
Odds provided by Tipico Sportsbook; access USA TODAY Sports Scores and Sports Betting Odds hub for a full list. Lines last updated 8:43 a.m. ET.
- Money line: Tigers +120 (bet $100 to win $120) | Royals -145 (bet $145 to win $100)
- Run line (RL): Tigers +1.5 (-170) | Royals -1.5 (+135)
- Over/Under (O/U): 9.5 (O: +100 | U: -125)
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Tigers at Royals picks and predictions
Prediction
Royals 6, Tigers 4
Money line
Pineda is a fly-ball pitcher and Keller a ground-ball pitcher which results in an advantage for the Royals on a warm day with a breeze blowing out.
Pineda has thrown just 65 and 83 pitches in his 2 games since returning from injury, so how much can he save the Tigers bullpen in the opener of this double-dip? Keller has logged a 1.38 ERA and 0.92 ERA across 2 starts against Detroit this season.
BACK THE ROYALS (-145).
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Run line/Against the spread
TAKE KANSAS CITY 1.5 (+135).
Over/Under
There are some mixed indicators here, but the OVER 9.5 (+100) is intriguing.
There is some slight fade on both starters and some ammo taking down the Detroit bullpen. When you add in a hot afternoon in K.C. and the forecast of an outward breeze then this one has enough of a double-digit probability on the total to warrant some action.
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