Kansas City Royals vs Detroit Tigers Betting Analysis and Odds April 14
Kansas City Royals vs Detroit Tigers Preview
WagerTalk MLB handicapper Andy Lang offers his Kansas City Royals vs Detroit Tigers preview for Thursday, April 14. Kansas City will hand the ball to veteran Zack Greinke, looking to snap the Royals’ three-game losing streak.
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| Thursday, April 14 | MLB Betting Notes, Courtesy of Caesars |
|---|---|
| Moneyline: | Kansas City Royals -120 vs Detroit Tigers +110 |
| Runline: | Royals -1.5 (+155) / Tigers +1.5 (-175) |
| Total: | 8.5 Runs (-110 Each Way) |
| Game Time: | 8:10pm ET / 5:10pm PT |
| Where: | Kauffman Stadium in Kansas City |
| Weather: | 60* and Clear with 10mph Winds Blowing Out to Center. |
Kansas City Royals vs Detroit Tigers Analysis
The Detroit Tigers travel to Kauffman Stadium in Kansas City for an American League Central showdown with the Royals. The Royals sit at 2-3 after losing three straight games prior to being rained out yesterday. The Tigers’ record fell to 2-4 after losing two straight games to the Boston Red Sox and losing the three game series.
This will be the first of 19 games played between these division rivals this season. Kansas City came out on top of the head-to-head series last season 11-8.
Royals Hope Greinke Can Snap Losing Streak
After winning the first two games of the season, the Kansas City Royals have fallen flat and lost three straight. The Royals’ staff only allowed one run in those first two victories, but have been bludgeoned conceding 33 combined runs against the Guardians and Cardinals in the three games since.
Kansas City will look to their ace Zack Greinke to right the ship. Greinke hurled 5.1 innings while allowing only one run on five hits and one walk on Opening Day. He is truly the only bright spot on a staff that ranks dead last with a 6.80 ERA so far this season.
The Royals are still waiting on their top hitters Salvador Perez and Whit Merrifield to heat up as both are hitting just .200 to start their seasons. Kansas City had a three-game advantage in the season series over the Tigers last season. They will look to continue that trend and get going in the right direction at home on Thursday night.
Tigers Turn To Mize
The Detroit Tigers have lost back-to-back three game series 1-2 against both the White and the Red Sox to open the season. Yesterday the Tigers lost 9-7 to the Boston Red Sox as newly-acquired Eduardo Rodriguez struggled against his former team. E-Rod didn’t make it past the fourth inning, allowing seven runs, two of them earned on five hits and three walks.
Rookie Spencer Torkelson was one of three Tigers players to hit home runs, combining for seven runs but it wasn’t enough.
Last season the Tigers on offense, ranking 22nd in runs scored. They added Javy Baez to make their offense more formidable and he has paid immediate dividends with two game winning hits, one being a home run. Baez does have a banged up thumb, but Manager A.J. Hinch said he is hopeful he will return to action Thursday night.
The Tigers turn to starting pitcher Casey Mize to snap the two game skid. Last season Mize was rock solid, posting a 3.71 across 30 starts and 150 innings while striking out 118. However, he wasn’t nearly as sharp in his first start this season. The young right-hander pitched five innings but allowed four earned runs on seven hits. He only struck our two, but on the bright side he didn’t walk a sole.
Kansas City Royals vs Detroit Tigers Prediction
Both these teams are in similar situations and will almost undoubtedly land as neighbors in the AL Central standings. Greinke got shelled in his only start against Detroit last season. He gave up six earned runs on 10 hits and three walks in only 4.2 innings pitched. Meanwhile Mize pitched slightly above average against Detroit, going 2-1 in three starts.
The Royals have been playing poorly and have the look of a fade team. The Tigers haven’t been much better, but seem to be in slightly better form. It’s not my most confident play of the day, but let’s take a shot with the Tigers at plus money. Tread lightly and make sure Baez is in the starting lineup.
Official Small Play: Detroit Tigers ML +110 (check to be sure Baez is in starting lineup)
Interested in placing a bet on Thursday’s Kansas City Royals vs Detroit Tigers AL Central clash? Caesars Sports is offering up to a $1,500 match bet for first-time deposits in New Jersey, West Virginia, Colorado, Indiana, Iowa, Michigan, Virginia, Tennessee, Arizona, New York and Louisiana.
First Pitch | MLB Betting Preview for April 14
Join Drew Martin and a rotating panel of guests for First Pitch as we break down the daily baseball slate from a betting perspective. The projected two best teams in the NL Central will see each other for the first time as Milwaukee hosts St Louis in a four-game series this weekend. Join WagerTalk’s team of MLB betting experts every weekday at 1:45pm ET / 10:45am PT for First Pitch as we discuss the baseball betting slate.
WagerTalk Live Odds Screen
WagerTalk’s Live Odds Screen features up-to-the-minute lines from a variety of offshore and domestic sports books. Track the MLB moneylines, run lines and betting percentages for all of Thursday’s baseball games, including this Kansas City Royals vs Detroit Tigers showdown, from your desktop or phone.
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Meet the Author
Andy Lang has lived in Indianapolis his whole life, and like most people from the Hoosier State, he became fascinated with motor sports. That interest in motor sports turned into a desire to make money off the sport through fantasy contests and sports betting. Like most, he took his lumps when he first got started, but now he is one of the most respected NASCAR bettors in the industry. Andy has expanded that sports betting experience to become profitable in a number of other sports, transforming this interest from a side hobby to a major source of income.
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