Royals vs. Tigers Pick
Can the Kansas City Royals avoid a letdown at the plate once again when they go on the road to face the Detroit Tigers today at 1:10PM ET?
According to oddsmakers at Bovada.lv, the Royals are favored on the road today, as they are getting odds of -145 to win, while the Tigers are listed with a money line of +130 to prevail. The over/under total for the contest is listed at 9.5 runs. Kansas City has won its last five meetings with Detroit.
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The pitching matchup today has Jake Junis (6-2, 4.41 ERA) on the mound for the Royals to face Artie Lewicki of the Tigers. Junis has been good in recent starts, allowing two runs or less in five of his last six appearances. He has 57 strikeouts this season with 18 walks and a 1.29 WHIP. Lewicki is making his MLB debut today at the age of 25.
The Royals are coming off a series win over the Twins in Minnesota, but they have still dropped seven of their last 10 and been shutout in five of those seven losses. The Royals are now 67-68 overall and 31-36 on the road. Kansas City is putting up 4.30 runs per game this season while allowing 4.84 per contest. KC is being led by Mike Moustakas, who has 36 home runs and 81 RBI. Eric Hosmer is adding 24 doubles, 22 home runs and 77 RBI.
Detroit is coming off being swept over a four-game series by the Indians at home. Detroit is now 58-78 overall and 31-36 at home. On the season, Detroit averages 4.65 runs per game while allowing 5.34 per contest. The Tigers have traded away most of their hitting and pitching and have little left to offer in competitiveness. Detroit is now led by Nicholas Castellanos, who has 25 doubles, 19 home runs and 76 RBI. Ian Kinsler has added 21 doubles with 14 homers and 39 RBI.
Detroit doesn’t bring much to the table right now. Miguel Cabrera is serving a suspension and any talent is on the DL or been traded away. The Royals haven’t been doing great as of late either, but they still have a team that is competing to be .500. Their poor hitting should still be able to hit Lewicki in his MLB debut while the Tigers will struggle to hit any competent MLB starter.
MLB DAILY PREDICTION: KANSAS CITY ROYALS -145