The Detroit Tigers (79-73) and Kansas City Royals (82-70) meet Wednesday as they close out a 3-game AL Central series. First pitch from Kaufman Stadium is slated for 7:40 p.m. ET (MLB Network). 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: Royals lead 7-5
Detroit won Monday’s lid-lifter 7-6 and triumphed in Tuesday’s game 3-1 in 10 innings. The Tigers are 4-2 across their last 6 games; all 6 have been decided by 2 runs or fewer.
Kansas City has lost 3 straight games. Over that stretch, the Royals have gone just 6 for 32 (.188) with runners in scoring position. The clutch failings were key in 3 games decided by a combined 4 runs.
Tigers at Royals projected starters
LHP Tarik Skubal vs. RHP Alec Marsh
Skubal (16-4, 2.50 ERA) is tabbed for his 30th start. He has authored a 0.94 WHIP, 1.7 BB/9 and 10.7 K/9 through 180 IP.
- Last outing: No-decision, 6 IP, 1 ER, 4 H, 0 BB, 6 K in 4-2 home loss vs. Colorado Rockies Thursday
- Career vs. Royals: 2-9, 5.05 ERA (71 1/3 IP, 40 ER), 1.09 WHIP, 9.2 K/9 in 14 appearances (12 starts)
- Has not allowed more than 3 runs in a game since Aug. 2
Marsh (8-8, 4.52 ERA) is making his 24th start and 25th appearance. He owns a 1.23 WHIP, 2.7 BB/9 and 8.6 K/9 through 121 1/3 IP.
- Last outing: Win, 5 1/3 IP, 1 ER, 5 H, 2 BB, 11 K in 8-3 victory at Pittsburgh Pirates Friday
- Career vs. Tigers: 1-0, 1 home start (May 21), 6 IP, 3 ER, 5 H, 2 BB, 5 K in 10-3 win
Who’s going yard? Here’s a breakdown of today’s best home run props with our top picks. Include the BetMGM bonus code SBWIRE to score a $1,500 first-bet offer.
Tigers at Royals odds
Provided by BetMGM Sportsbook; access USA TODAY Sports Scores and Sports Betting Odds hub for a full list of MLB odds. Lines last updated at 11:25 a.m. ET.
- Moneyline: Tigers -150 (bet $150 to win $100) | Royals +125 (bet $100 to win $125)
- Run line (RL)/Against the spread (ATS): Tigers -1.5 (+110) | Royals +1.5 (-135)
- Over/Under (O/U): 7.5 (O: -120 | U: +100)
Tigers at Royals picks and predictions
Prediction
Tigers 4, Royals 3
Moneyline
Skubal has been outstanding for the Tigers. And he has a history of strong September finishes: In 17 career September-October games (regular season), he’s held opposing bats to a tidy .591 OPS.
Marsh is making this start on 4 days of rest; that’s a 1st for him since June, and his season numbers favor longer rest. On 4 days of rest, the right-hander has been touched up for a .774 OPS. On 5 days of rest, he’s held foes to a .722 mark while posting a batter K:BB ratio.
A warmed-up game with an outward breeze is in the forecast: Advantage Skubal, who gets more ground balls than Marsh.
Look for the Bengals to close out the sweep. They are 5-0 in their last 5 getaway games.
TAKE DETROIT (-150).
Run line/Against the spread
The game has a slight Under lean. PASS on trying to get the Tigers by with a cushion.
Over/Under
The Under has hit in 5 of Detroit’s last 6 games and in 9 of Kansas City’s last 12.
Both sides have been playing tight pitchers’ duels of late. Both have expected-runs numbers that say they are too far out over their skis with season run production.
BET THE UNDER 7.5 (+100).
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