The Detroit Tigers (30-40) and Kansas City Royals (19-52) are set to begin a three-game series on June 19. Both teams have struggled this season, with the Tigers sitting in third place in the American League Central and the Royals in last place.
How will this one play out? Let’s dive into the Tigers vs. Royals predictions, odds, and picks below.
Tigers vs. Royals Odds
- Moneyline: Tigers -145 / Royals +125
- Total: 9
Odds via Bet365. If you are new to Bet365, click our exclusive promo link below to Bet $1 to Get $200 in bonus bets, regardless if you win or lose.
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Game Info
- Date: Monday, June 19
- Time: 6:40 pm ET
- Location: Comerica Park – Detroit, MI
- TV: ESPN+
Our top MLB props. Everyday. Check out our Best MLB Props Today for this slate.
Tigers Betting Trends
- Tigers are 1-5 in their last 6 home games.
- Over is 4-0 in Tigers last 4 home games.
Royals Betting Trends
- Royals are 1-6 in their last 7 vs. a team with a losing record.
- Over is 4-0 in Royals last 4 games vs. a right-handed starter.
Tigers vs. Royals Starting Pitcher Analysis
Starting pitcher Reese Olson will take the mound for the Tigers, making his fourth career start. The 24-year-old right-hander was called up from Triple-A Toledo at the end of May and made his MLB debut on June 2. Olson is 0-2 with a 6.08 ERA in 3 starts so far for the Tigers.
Despite giving up 3 runs in 10 innings in his first two starts, Olson managed to maintain a 4.50 ERA in his last 3 starts before being called up. The Tigers hope Olson can provide some stability to a rotation that has dealt with many injuries this season.
For the Royals, starting pitcher Jordan Lyles will take the mound, looking to earn his first win of the season. Lyles has gone 0-11 with a 6.89 ERA in 15 starts this year. The Royals have lost all 14 of Lyles’ starts, and he currently leads Major League Baseball in losses.
In his most recent start on June 13, Lyles took the loss after allowing 5 runs on 5 hits and 3 walks over 6 innings against the Cincinnati Reds.
Tigers vs. Royals Predictions
Offensively, both the Tigers and Royals have struggled this season. The Tigers rank near the bottom of the league in batting average, triples, and runs scored. However, infielder Zach McKinstry ranks highly in expected batting average and expected slugging percentage, showing some promise.
The Royals have the second-worst record in MLB due to poor pitching and little offense. They are 16-46 in their last 62 games overall and 18-53 in their last 71 road games. They have scored under 5.5 runs in 13 of their last 14 home games against the Tigers.
The Tigers have won 5 of their last 10 games against the spread as favorites. The Royals are 1-9 in their last 10 games overall. Given the pitching matchups and offensive struggles, runs may be hard to come by in this series. The Tigers hope Olson can build on his last starts, while the Royals desperately need Lyles to turn things around and earn his first win.
Tigers vs. Royals Picks
Based on the analysis, our betting prediction for the game is as follows:
Tigers Moneyline -145: Given the recent form of both starting pitchers and the Tigers’ success against the spread as favorites, we recommend taking the Tigers on the moneyline at -145.
The Pick: Tigers moneyline -145 | Bet $1, Get $200 (win or lose) at Bet365