The Detroit Tigers (79-58) visit the Kansas City Royals (70-67) Sunday afternoon for the rubber match of their 3-game series at Kauffman Stadium. First pitch is scheduled for 2:10 p.m. ET. Let’s analyze BetMGM Sportsbook’s MLB odds around the Tigers vs. Royals odds and make our expert MLB picks and predictions for the best bets.
Season series: Tigers lead 8-4
Detroit has dropped 5 of its last 6 games after losing 3-1 against Kansas City Saturday and failing to cover as a -114 road favorite. 2B Gleyber Torres had the only RBI for the Tigers, who did win Friday’s series opener 5-3.
Kansas City has won 3 of its last 4 games after Saturday’s victory as a +105 home underdog. SS Bobby Witt Jr. hit a 2-run home run in the eighth inning to win it.
Tigers at Royals projected starters
LHP Tarik Skubal vs. RHP Michael Wacha
Skubal (11-4, 2.28 ERA) makes his 27th start. He has a 0.87 WHIP, 1.4 BB/9 and 11.5 K/9 through 166 innings.
- Last start: Loss, 6 2/3 IP, 1 ER, 7 H, 0 BB, 12 K in an 8-3 road loss against Athletics Monday
- Career vs. Royals: 3-9, 4.38 ERA (88 1/3 IP, 43 ER), 1.04 WHIP, 9.3 K/9 in 17 games (15 starts)
Wacha (8-10, 3.39 ERA) makes his 27th start. He has a 1.18 WHIP, 2.3 BB/9 and 6.5 K/9 through 148 2/3 innings.
- Last start: Loss, 6 IP, 3 ER, 8 H, 1 BB, 4 K in a 4-2 road loss Aug. 23 against Detroit
- Career vs. Tigers: 2-2, 2.92 ERA (52 1/3 IP, 17 ER), 1.15 WHIP, 6.9 K/9 in 9 starts
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Tigers at Royals odds
Provided by BetMGM Sportsbook; access USA TODAY Sports Scores and Sports Betting Odds hub for a full list. Lines last updated at 5:23 a.m. ET.
- Moneyline (ML): Tigers -185 (bet $185 to win $100) | Royals +150 (bet $100 to win $150)
- Run line (RL)/Against the spread (ATS): Tigers -1.5 (+100) | Royals +1.5 (-120)
- Over/Under (O/U): 7.5 (O: +100 | U: -120)
Tigers at Royals picks and predictions
Prediction
Royals 3, Tigers 2
PASS.
There is minimal value on the Tigers (-185) who will see Skubal, a Cy Young candidate, take the mound.
BET ROYALS +1.5 (-120).
The Royals have won 3 of their last 4 games 4 of their last 6. They face a Tigers team that has faced recent struggles, losing 5 of their last 6 games with 1 run scored on offense combined in 2 of their last 3 games. While Skubal will be a force to be reckoned with, the Royals hot bats will be able to keep them within reach.
BET UNDER 7.5 (-120).
The Under has hit in 3 of the last 4 meetings between these teams.
Skubal has the second-best ERA and strikeout count in the MLB. He is able to keep runs off the board evidenced by the lefty allowing 3 or fewer ER in 7 of his last 8 starts. The Tigers have scored 3 or fewer runs in 3 of their last 5 games while allowing 3 runs in back-to-back games.
The Royals have scored 3 or fewer runs in 3 of their last 5 games including back-to-back. They have allowed 1 run in 2 of their last 3 games.
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‘ The preceding article may include information circulated by third parties ’
‘ Some details of this article were extracted from the following source sportsbookwire.usatoday.com ’
