Royals vs. Tigers Prediction, Odds, and Props: Tigers Take Opener
Many teams have Thursday off in a light schedule, and in the lone night game in an AL Central series opener, the Detroit Tigers host the Kansas City Royals.
This Royals vs. Tigers prediction has it all from the game odds and player props to key stats and the pitching matchup.
BetMGM Sportsbook has the Tigers as huge favorites posted at -205 with a total of 8.5 runs.
Royals vs. Tigers Odds
| Moneyline | Total (Over/Under) | Run Line |
| Royals (+170) | Over 8.5 runs (-105) | Royals +1.5 runs (-120) |
| Tigers (-205) | Under 8.5 runs (-115) | Tigers -1.5 runs (-100) |
The most popular US sportsbooks have many more betting markets for this game.
How we got here
While the Royals (43-60) are in the basement of the AL Central and are 12 games out of first place, they are coming off a series sweep and have won five of six games.
The Tigers (48-54) took two of three games from the Chicago Cubs in their last series and sit in fourth in the AL Central, 6.5 games out of first place.
Royals vs. Tigers betting analysis
On the season, the Tigers are 27-23 at home, and the Royals are in a tie with two other teams for the fewest road wins (17) in the Majors.
By the numbers
Royals
- Runs – 20th
- Team ERA – 28th
Tigers
- Runs – 21st
- Team ERA – 6th
Pitching Matchup
Randy Dobnak (0-0, 1.93 ERA, 1.50 WHIP) gets the call for the Royals, making his second start of the season, and in the last one gave up one run in 4 1/3 innings in a 6-1 win over the San Diego Padres. He was recalled from the minors earlier this month and in three appearances has totaled 14 innings, giving up three runs.
Troy Melton (5-1, 1.80 ERA, 0.87 WHIP) takes the hill for Detroit and had a solid last start, giving up one run in 5 2/3 innings, striking out nine in a 2-1 win over the Los Angeles Angels. He has been lights out as of late, not giving up more than one run in any of his last five starts.
Royals Get out the broom
In their last series, the Royals were at home sweeping the San Francisco Giants, where they won all three games by one run.
Key injury concerns for Kansas City
Young star shortstop Bobby Witt Jr. (.279, 13 home runs, 39 RBIs) is out of the lineup on the 10-day IL with a back injury.
Jac Caglianone (.258, 16 home runs, 37 RBIs) leads the club in home runs and missed yesterday’s game and is listed as day-to-day.
Perez ties a Royals’ legend in last game
In yesterday’s 5-4 win over the Giants, Salvador Perez (.211, 14 home runs, 43 RBIs) tied Kansas City legend George Brett for the most home runs in franchise history (317), and he has gone yard in three of the last five games.
Royals’ relievers will get some work in
Dobnak only lasted 4 1/3 innings in his last start even though he pitched well. He will likely not last long in this game, and while the Royals’ relievers have been pretty good in the last few games, the team still ranks second to last in bullpen ERA.
Big bats for Detroit getting it done
Dillon Dingler (.271, 22 home runs, 66 RBIs) and Spencer Torkelson (.211, 19 home runs, 50 RBIs) lead the club in home runs and have been hot. Dingler had three home runs and five RBIs in the last series, and Torkelson went deep in the last game and has three home runs and seven RBIs over the last five games.
Home cooking against facing the Royals?
The Tigers have won four of six games facing the Royals this season, and in the lone series in Detroit, they swept them in a three-game set.
Royals vs. Tigers prediction: Tigers run line -1.5 runs (-100)
While the Royals have won five of six games, they were all at home, and they have lost their last five road games where they were outscored 33-11. Add their road woes and them facing a red-hot Troy Melton, and you get a Tigers win. They will also win by at least two runs, so taking the run line to get better odds is a good idea.
Player Prop Picks
Here are some player prop bets we like at DraftKings Sportsbook:
- Troy Melton 6+ strikeouts (+101) – Melton has struck out at least six in each of his last four starts and has nine in each of his last two. Other value bets for him in strikeouts are 7+ (+214), 8+ (+448), and even 9+ (+900).
- To hit a home run - Dillon Dingler (+587) and Spencer Torkelson (+528) – Great value bets here as Dingler has three home runs in the last three games and Torkelson has three over the last five games.
