In a game that has the potential for a lot of runs, Yordano Ventura (6-7, 4.98 ERA) and the Kansas City Royals (63-43) are in Detroit to square off against Anibal Sanchez (10-9, 4.77 ERA) and the Tigers (52-55). This is the last of a three-game series at Comerica Park. The Tigers won the last game 2-1 and the series is currently tied 1-1. Action begins at 1:08 p.m. ET on Thursday, Aug. 6 and can be seen on FSKC and FSDT.
Sanchez pitched 6.2 innings in his most recent start, surrendering six runs and striking out five in a 6-2 defeat to the Orioles. Miguel Cabrera (.350, 43 Rs, 15 HRs, 54 RBIs, 1 SB) continued his strong play yesterday, going 2 for 2 with one RBI. Ventura went 7.0 innings, surrendering five runs, striking out two and walking two in a 7-6 win over the Blue Jays in his last outing.
Kansas City takes on Detroit as a -130 favorite. The Over/Under (O/U) for the matchup is sitting at eight runs. The Tigers have an overall money line of -462 and a record as the underdog of 22-31. Detroit has a disheartening record as underdog (9-11) against division opponents, but comes in with a more encouraging 28-18 SU record. The Tigers have seen an uptick in scoring against teams inside their division, averaging 4.9 runs per game. They average 4.4 runs per game on the season. The Tigers lead the AL in hits with an impressive 9.5 per game. Detroit’s pitchers put it all together when division rivals are on the field. Its average runs allowed per game drops to 4.2 against fellow AL Central members, compared to its 4.8 season average.
In the other locker room, Kansas City is coming in with an overall money line of +1,815 and an impressive record of 33-21 as the favorite. They have been playing solid baseball as favorite with a 14-10 record against AL Central opponents, and a 27-17 record SU. The Royals are tough outs for opponents, ranking second in the AL with 9.2 hits per game. Kansas City is excellent at not striking out with an AL-low 5.8 per game. The Royals average 3.7 runs allowed per game, but does better whenever another team from the AL Central is on the schedule. They bring that runs allowed average down to 3.3 against division foes.
The Royals lead the season series, 5-4. The Tigers have a 38-44 record against right-handed starting pitchers on the year, which is what they’ll be facing when Ventura takes the mound. Sanchez (RHP) will be on the hill against the Royals, who have a very good 44-26 record against right-handed starting pitchers.
Predictions: SU Winner – KC, O/U – Over
Notes
The total has gone UNDER in 4 of Detroit’s last 6 games at home.
The total has gone OVER in 13 of Detroit’s last 18 games at home.
The total has gone UNDER in 4 of Detroit’s last 5 games when playing Kansas City.
The total has gone UNDER in 6 of Detroit’s last 7 games when playing at home against Kansas City.
Detroit is 2-4 SU in its last 6 games when playing at home against Kansas City.
The total has gone UNDER in 6 of Kansas City’s last 7 games when playing on the road against Detroit.
In their last game, the Royals lost by a margin of one run. The Tigers are 18-16 in one-run games. The Royals have a 15-10 record in close games.
The Tigers are coming into this game after allowing zero walks during their last outing. The Royals have a 7-13 record when opponents give up that many walks.
When they are outhit, the Tigers are 7-39. The Royals have a 7-35 record when opponents outhit them.
Kansas City ranks near the bottom of the league at 27th when it comes to home runs, hitting 84 this season. Detroit ranks in the top half at 11th with 106.
Ranking first in hits, Detroit has earned 9.52 per game this season. Kansas City ranks second with 9.19 hits.
Ranking 11th, Kansas City is in the top half of the league for its on-base plus slugging percentage (.726). Detroit ranks in the top five at fourth with an OPS of .761.
When the Royals allow at least one home run, they are 27-31. When the Tigers allow one or more homers, they have a 24-44 record.
