The Detroit Tigers look to emerge victorious in MLB odds action as the Royals arrive at Comerica Park on Thursday.

It's a pitching duel between Doug Fister for the Tigers (10-9 on the year) and Luis Mendoza for Kansas City (7-8 so far).



View Kansas City vs Detroit Odds and Stats.

Betting Line:
The visitors opened as +-220 moneyline underdogs in this one at most online sportsbooks tracked at Odds Shark. The total opened at 8.5 for those preferring over under wagers.

Power Rankings:
According to new MLB Power Rankings here, it's the American League No. 4-ranked Tigers and the American League No. 7-rated Royals in this matchup.



How They Match Up:
Offensively, the game matches up Detroit's No. 6 ranked American League offense (4.5 runs per game) against a Royals defense and pitching staff that sits at No. 10 in the American League at 4.5 runs allowed per game. The Tigers have been averaging 9.1 hits per game, less than the Royals have managed so far this season (9.3 hits on average).

Detroit owns the American League's No. 5 defense, allowing 4.2 men per game to cross the plate. That contrasts with Kansas City's American League No. 10-rated defense.

The Royals were a 5-4 loser in their most recent outing on the road against the Tigers. That made winners of bettors who got Detroit at -157 on the moneyline, while the total score (9) was good news for OVER bettors. The Royals endured a 5-4 loss at the hands of the Tigers on Wednesday, with Jeremy Guthrie throwing 7 innings of 7-hit ball at Comerica Park.




Kansas City Royals Trends:
When playing on Thursday are 4-6
Before playing Cleveland are 8-2
After playing Detroit are 4-6
After a loss are 4-6

Detroit Tigers Trends:
When playing on Thursday are 4-6
Before playing Minnesota are 4-6
After playing Kansas City are 7-3
After a win are 6-4

A few Royals at Tigers trends to consider:
The total has gone OVER in 4 of Kansas City's last 6 games
The total has gone OVER in 4 of Kansas City's last 6 games on the road
Kansas City is 4-11 SU in its last 15 games when playing Detroit
Kansas City is 1-4 SU in its last 5 games
Detroit is 5-0 SU in its last 5 games when playing at home against Kansas City
Detroit is 11-4 SU in its last 15 games when playing Kansas City
The total has gone OVER in 8 of Detroit's last 11 games
Detroit is 15-6 SU in its last 21 games at home


Next up:
Kansas City at Cleveland, Friday, September 28
Detroit at Minnesota, Friday, September 28