<\/p>\n
The first pitch between the Detroit Tigers (18-21) and the Kansas City Royals (18-21) is set for 7:10 p.m. ET on Saturday, May 9, with the Royals returning a 1.66x payout to win, via PrizePicks Team Picks.<\/p>\n
After trailing 3-1, the Royals completed the comeback on Friday against the Tigers. Kansas City scored the final 3 runs, including on OF Kyle Isbel\u2019s RBI single in the ninth to walk it off. This breaks Kansas City\u2019s two-game losing streak while extending Detroit\u2019s to four.<\/p>\n
Below, we’ll break down our Tigers vs. Royals prediction and picks for Saturday\u2019s MLB matchup, including the run line, over\/under, and key player picks for PrizePicks.<\/p>\n
Make your Tigers vs. Royals picks<\/strong><\/a> on PrizePicks now.<\/strong><\/p><\/blockquote>\n
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Tigers vs. Royals Prediction, Winner Payout, Over\/Under \u2013 Saturday, May 9<\/h2>\n
For this game, the Tigers will start RP Burch Smith (2.24 xFIP in 7 appearances and 11.1 IP). Smith has not pitched more than two innings this season, so this likely means Tigers manager A.J. Hinch will frequently go to the bullpen.<\/p>\n
The Royals will send their 13-year veteran SP Michael Wacha (3.02 xFIP across 7 starts and 41.1 IP) to the mound, who is coming off his third win of the season.<\/p>\n
The Tigers will be without SP Tarik Skubal, as he could miss up to two months<\/a> after surgery on his throwing elbow. It will be a challenge to navigate without their two-time defending Cy Young winner, but the pitching staff has done well in May with their 3.59 xFIP (eighth).<\/p>\n
Earlier in the season, the Royals\u2019 pitching was struggling. From March 27 to April 26, their 5.04 xERA ranked 27th in the league, but they\u2019ve improved, with a 3.41 xERA since April 27 that ranks fifth.\u00a0<\/p>\n
Since April 24, Kansas City’s 9-4 record is the third-best mark in the league, and its 69 runs is the second-most in the split.<\/p>\n
Tigers vs. Royals Winner Payout, Over\/Under \u2013 <\/strong>Saturday, May 9<\/h3>\n
The Royals enter Saturday\u2019s game as home favorites, returning a 1.66x payout if they win outright, via PrizePicks Team Picks.<\/p>\n
Here are the full payouts for the Tigers vs. Royals game on PrizePicks.<\/p>\n
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- Spread: <\/strong>Royals <\/strong>-1.5 (2.38x payout)<\/li>\n
- Over\/Under: <\/strong>9.5 (1.92x payout on Over)<\/li>\n
- Game Winner Payout: <\/strong>Tigers 2.12x | Royals 1.66x<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n
Play the Tigers vs. Royals winner or over\/under<\/strong><\/a> on PrizePicks Team Picks<\/strong> to earn real money \u2014 available in 35 states!<\/p>\n
Team Picks data is live at the time of writing and is subject to change.<\/em><\/p>\n
Tigers vs. Royals Prediction on Spread \u2013 5\/9\/26<\/h2>\n
Here are the key game stats and trends behind our Tigers vs. Royals prediction on the runline for Saturday, May 9.<\/p>\n
Lock in your Tigers vs. Royals prediction on PrizePicks<\/a> before the line moves.<\/p>\n
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- The Tigers\u2019 .400 winning percentage (6-15 record) on the road this season is the worst in MLB.<\/li>\n
- Notable Tigers hitters have struggled lifetime against Wacha. Catcher Dillon Dingler, who leads the team with a .588 xSLG, is just a career 1-for-10 against Wacha, with a .320 xSLG. Left fielder Riley Greene, who\u2019s third on the team with a .518 xSLG, is a career 4-for-18 against Wacha with a .314 xSLG.<\/li>\n
- Per FanGraphs<\/a>, Royals SS Bobby Witt Jr. is crucial to Kansas City\u2019s recent success, as his 1.5 Wins Above Replacement (WAR) since April 19 is the highest in baseball.<\/li>\n
- The Royals have won six of their last nine games at home with a +19 run differential.<\/li>\n
- Wacha has been stellar at home this year, with a 2-1 record, while pitching for at least 7.0 innings in two of the three appearances.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n
Tigers vs. Royals Player Picks, Stats for PrizePicks \u2013 5\/9\/26<\/h2>\n
Here are the top Tigers vs. Royals picks to target on PrizePicks for Saturday, May 9. Today\u2019s MLB picks for PrizePicks include Bobby Witt Jr. and Kerry Carpenter.<\/p>\n
Tigers OF Kerry Carpenter vs. Royals Projection: 4.5 Hitter Fantasy Score<\/h3>\n
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- Carpenter is in the middle of a slump, including a .200 slugging percentage in the last 10 games, and has not exceeded a 4 fantasy score\u00a0in eight of his last 10 outings.<\/li>\n
- The right fielder could struggle against the righty Wacha, as he\u2019s hitting just .207 against right-handed hurlers this season.<\/li>\n
- After beginning the year with a .819 OPS in March and April, that number has plummeted to .321 in May.<\/li>\n
- Kauffman Stadium is the only non-home AL Central ballpark where Carpenter is hitting below a career .300 batting average (.220).<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n