Detroit heads into the hostile environment of Kauffman Stadium tonight to open up a series with division rivals Kansas City. Last year's champs have a 22-7 record at home in 2016 and will look to take over sole possession of first place in the AL Central tonight.
- The total has gone UNDER in 17 of the Royals' last 21 games with Danny Duffy as the starting pitcher.
- The visiting team is 2-6 in its last eight games in this matchup.
- The Tigers are 0-3 in their last 3 games on Thursday, while the Royals are 7-3 in their last 10 games on Thursday.
Justin Verlander, who (excuse the cliché) has learned how to pitch this year, will take the rubber for the Tigers and will look to continue his hot month of June where he owns a 1.98 ERA in 13.2 innings. Verlander doesn’t throw the gas he used to but has improved his control and will carry a 3.77 ERA into this matchup.
The Royals will send Danny Duffy and his 2.94 ERA to the mound for his seventh start of the season. Duffy hasn’t been great pitching at Kauffman this year; in three starts he owns a 4.76 ERA with batters hitting .258 off him. In the last three years, Duffy is 3-1 vs the Tigers in seven starts with an ERA of 1.59.
The moneyline in this one is fairly close, but with the Royals laying plus money at home, they may be worth a look.
Sportsbook Odds & Computer Pick
The Kansas City Royals were listed as 106 moneyline underdogs earlier in the day at Sportsbook, while odds makers set the Sportsbook total line around 8 earlier at Sportsbook.
Odds Shark computer prediction formulas pick a 4.9-4.2 win for the Royals on Thursday. View the computer score prediction and who will win the pick on the moneyline for all upcoming MLB matchups here.
Detroit Tigers vs Kansas City Royals Matchup
Team Betting Records & Power Rankings
The Kansas City Royals bring a 35-30 record to the battle against the 33-32 Tigers. Stay Informed: follow us on Twitter for odds specials, betting line moves and Kansas City vs Detroit injuries news.
It's a MLB baseball betting matchup between the No. 13-rated Kansas City Royals and the league No. 10-ranked Detroit Tigers, according to the latest MLB power poll here at Odds Shark.
Statistical Matchup
Offensively, the game matches up Kansas City Royals No. 27 ranked offense (3.85 runs per game) against a Detroit Tigers defense and pitching staff that sits at No. 20 at 4.63 runs allowed per game. The Kansas City Royals have been averaging 9.17 hits per game, less than the Detroit Tigers have managed so far this season (9.37 hits on average).
Pitching and defensive stats are important baseball handicapping betting factors and Kansas City has the No. 7-ranked defense. In the other dugout, the Tigers own the No. 20 mark in runs allowed.
Recent Outings Betting Recap
Detroit looks to rebound from a loss to the White Sox, who beat them 5-3 on Wednesday behind a start from C Sale at U.S. Cellular Field.
Kansas City looks to continue its winning ways following a victory last time out against the Indians, a 9-4 final on Wednesday in support of I Kennedy at Kauffman Stadium.
- Detroit is 8-4 SU in its last 12 games
- The total has gone UNDER in 4 of Detroit's last 6 games
- Detroit is 7-15 SU in its last 22 games on the road
- The total has gone UNDER in 5 of Detroit's last 7 games on the road
- Kansas City is 5-0 ATS in its last 5 games
- Kansas City is 5-0 SU in its last 5 games
- The total has gone UNDER in 4 of Kansas City's last 5 games
- Kansas City is 5-0 SU in its last 5 games at home
Next Betting Matchups
Detroit at Kansas City, Friday, June 17th
