Royals vs. Tigers Prediction
The Kansas City Royals and the Detroit Tigers represent the two teams with the worst records in the AL Central Division. Will host Detroit get the best of tonight’s series opener over last-place Kansas City?
Game Snapshot
919 Kansas City Royals at 920 Detroit Tigers
Friday, May 3, 2019
Comerica Park at 7:10PM ET
TV: FS-D
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Public Betting Information
According to oddsmakers, the Tigers are a -149 favorite to win on the moneyline. The Royals are a +139 underdog, while the total is set at 8.5 runs. As of Friday morning, 54 percent of public bets are being placed on host Detroit. Check out our MLB Public Betting Page for the latest information.
Royals fall in series finale
Kansas City split its four-game home series with Tampa Bay, but lost Thursday afternoon’s series finale by a score of 3-1. The Royals allowed two runs in the ninth inning to break a 1-1 tie. Whit Merrifield went 2-for-4 with two triples and an RBI from the leadoff spot to pace the offense. Hunter Dozier ended the night 2-for-4. Martin Maldonado finished 1-for-2 with a walk and a run scored. Wily Peralta suffered the loss as he surrendered two earned runs on one hit in an inning of relief, striking out none and walking one. Jorge Lopez draws the start today for the Royals as he enters with an 0-2 record, 5.08 ERA and 1.43 WHIP plus 31 strikeouts over 33 2/3 innings.
Tigers stumble late in loss
Detroit allowed four runs in the seventh inning and two more in the eighth Wednesday night in a 7-3 loss at Philadelphia. Ronny Rodriguez helped pace the Tigers offense as he went 2-for-4 with a walk, a run and an RBI. Jeimer Candelario was 2-for-4 with a double and a walk. Jordy Mercer was 1-for-3 with a solo home run plus a walk. Buck Farmer suffered the loss in relief as he gave up two earned runs on one hit with one strikeout and no walks over 1 1/3 innings. Matthew Boyd will start tonight’s game for Detroit as he comes in with a 2-2 record, 3.13 ERA and a 1.02 WHIP plus 48 strikeouts over 37 1/3 innings.
MLB Betting Trends
Kansas City
The Royals are 1-6 in Lopez’ last seven starts. Kansas City is 1-4 in the last five meetings.
Detroit
The Tigers are 1-5 in their last six games overall. Detroit is 1-7 in Boyd’s last eight Friday starts.
Prediction:
While it is really difficult to place money on Detroit at this kind of a moneyline, the starting pitcher disparity is enough for me to side with the hosts. Boyd has been striking out batters at a high clip and has really proven to be a quality pitcher these last two seasons. Look for him to overwhelm Kansas City and begin this series with a victory for Detroit.
MLB DAILY PREDICTION: DETROIT TIGERS -149