In the first of a three-game series between the Detroit Tigers (18-11) and the Kansas City Royals (18-11) at Comerica Park, David Price (3-1, 2.92 ERA) and Yordano Ventura (2-2, 4.94 ERA) get the start. The game gets underway at 7:08 p.m. ET on Friday, May. 8 and will air on FSN-KC, FSN-DET and MLB Net.
Price has a 1.16 ERA and a 2-0 record in his career against the Royals, but is up against a solid Kansas City offense that’s hitting .290 on the year. Miguel Cabrera (.350, 16 Rs, 6 HRs, 21 RBIs, 1 SB) went 1 for 3 yesterday with two runs and one RBI. In his career against the Tigers, Ventura is 2-0 with a 3.12 ERA. He gets a strong Detroit offense that’s batting .275. Eric Hosmer (.324, 18 Rs, 5 HRs, 23 RBIs, 2 SBs) has been hitting the ball well for the Royals, going 2 for 4 yesterday with two runs, one home run, and three RBIs.
Detroit is a -153 favorite in this game and the Over/Under (O/U) is seven runs. The Tigers have a winning record of 12-6 when playing as the favorite and an overall money line of +580. Over the last 10 games, they have a very good record when playing as the favorite (3-1). The Tigers seem to play better against their division opponents, averaging 5.1 runs per game, well over their season average of 4.5. They have been a terror on the base paths, ranking fourth in all of baseball with 26 steals. Transitioning to the pitching staff, the Tigers don’t give up many walks to opposing batters, ranking third in the AL with only 2.6 walks allowed per game.
On the other side, the Royals have a nice record of 8-4 when they are the underdog and are +682 overall with the money line. Against divisional foes, they are 12-9 SU, but have a 3-4 record when they were an underdog to win. Kansas City is the top hitting team in the AL with an average of 10.0 hits per contest. The Royals average just 5.9 strikeouts per game, good for least in the AL. Kansas City’s pitching staff and defense as a whole has been firing on all cylinders so far, averaging an AL-best 3.6 runs allowed per game. They have a WHIP of 1.13 on the year, good for fifth in the league.
This game will feature Ventura (RHP) on the mound against the Tigers, who have a 12-8 record when they take on a right-handed starter. The left-handed Price will take the mound against the Royals. Against lefty starters this season, they’ve racked up an impressive 8-3 record.
Predictions: SU Winner – KC, O/U – Over
Notes
Detroit has won 69% (9-4) of its games when leading after 7 innings. However, Kansas City has won 73% (8-3) of its games when taking a late lead.
The Tigers are coming into this game after allowing two walks during their last outing. The Royals have an 11-9 record when opponents give up that many walks or fewer.
When outhit, both the Tigers and the Royals have records of 0-8.
Kansas City ranks in the bottom half of the league at 18th when it comes to home runs, hitting 22 this season. Detroit ranks in the top half at 13th with 25.
Ranking first in hits, Kansas City has earned 10.04 per game this season. Detroit ranks second with 9.32 hits.
Detroit and Kansas City both rank in the top five of the league for their on-base plus slugging percentage. Detroit sits at fifth with an OPS of .762 and Kansas City ranks second with an OPS of .777.
When the Royals allow at least one home run, they are 11-6. When the Tigers allow one or more homers, they have a 5-7 record.
