The Kansas City Royals will be up against an AL Central division rival on Thursday night as they open up a five-game road series against the Detroit Tigers at Comerica Park.
The Tigers are just 4-6 on the MLB betting lines in their past 10 games against the Royals, with Detroit going 3-5 against Kansas City so far this season. The OVER/UNDER has gone 3-5 for totals bettors in their matchups so far in 2013.
It's a pitching duel between Anibal Sanchez for the Tigers (10-7 on the year) and Jeremy Guthrie for Kansas City (12-8 so far).
View Kansas City vs Detroit Odds and Stats.
Betting Line:
Bettors looking to back visiting Kansas City before the first pitch in this match found them as +-210-moneyline underdogs earlier today at Sportsbook. They saw the total of 8 earlier at Sportsbook.
Power Rankings:
This game matches up the No. 1 (Tigers) and the No. 4 (Royals) teams in their respective leagues, according to our current MLB Power Rankings.
How They Match Up:
At the plate, Detroit owns the No. 1 ranking for hits in the American League at 10 per game. By contrast, the Royals are rated No. 7 in the same category at 8.8 per game.
Pitching and defensive stats are important baseball handicapping factors and Detroit has the American League's No. 2-ranked defense. In the other dugout, the Royals own the American League's No. 1 mark in runs allowed.
In their last action, Kansas City was a 5-2 loser at home against the Marlins. Bettors on Miami at +220 on the moneyline collected their winnings from that game, while the total score (7) sent UNDER bettors home happy as well. Kansas City looks to rebound from a loss to the Marlins, who beat them 5-2 on Wednesday behind a start from Jacob Turner at Kauffman Stadium.
Last time out for Detroit, they were a 6-4 Sportsbook as they battled the White Sox on the road. Moneyline bettors who got the Tigers at -160 were rewarded, while the 10 combined runs moved the game OVER for totals bettors. The Tigers enjoyed a 6-4 victory at the expense of the White Sox on Wednesday, with Rick Porcello throwing 6 innings of 11-hit ball at U.S. Cellular Field.
Kansas City Royals Trends:
When playing on Thursday are 6-4
Before playing Detroit are 6-4
After playing Miami are 3-7
After a loss are 5-5
Detroit Tigers Trends:
When playing on Thursday are 5-5
Before playing Kansas City are 5-5
After playing Chi White Sox are 8-2
After a win are 8-2
A few Royals at Tigers trends to consider:
Kansas City is 8-1 SU in its last 9 games on the road
The total has gone UNDER in 5 of Kansas City's last 6 games when playing Detroit
The total has gone OVER in 5 of Kansas City's last 6 games when playing on the road against Detroit
Kansas City is 17-5 SU in its last 22 games
Detroit is 5-0 SU in its last 5 games at home
Detroit is 8-1 SU in its last 9 games when playing at home against Kansas City
The total has gone UNDER in 5 of Detroit's last 6 games when playing Kansas City
The total has gone OVER in 5 of Detroit's last 6 games when playing at home against Kansas City
Next up:
Kansas City at Detroit, Friday, August 16
