Detroit Tigers vs Kansas City Royals Prediction MLB Picks 9/16/24

The Detroit Tigers and the Kansas City Royals square off Monday in MLB action from the Kauffman Stadium. We will look at this from a betting perspective and determine the best bets for this game. Here’s a Detroit Tigers vs. Kansas City Royals prediction.

Starting Pitching Matchup

The Detroit Tigers did not have a starting pitcher announced at the time that this article was posted. The Kansas City Royals will trot out Seth Lugo for the start here and Lugo is 16-8 with a 2.94 ERA and 169 strikeouts this season. In his career, Lugo is 3-0 with a 1.29 ERA and 19 strikeouts against Detroit.

Detroit Tigers Recap

The Detroit Tigers come into this one looking to keep their momentum going after picking up a 4-2 win over the Baltimore Orioles in Sunday’s rubber match. The win kept Detroit’s series win streak alive after taking out the Rockies and A’s over the last week and a half.

Tigers Making Last Ditch Playoff Push

Riley Greene has 123 hits including 23 home runs and 69 RBIs along with 25 doubles, 6 triples, a .265 batting average, and a .354 OBP in addition to a team-high 140 strikeouts this season. Matt Vierling also has 125 hits as well as 5 triples and 26 doubles with 16 home runs and 54 RBIs while Wenceel Perez has 5 triples and 9 stolen bases. Colt Keith also has 12 home runs and 56 RBIs as well this year while Zach McKinstry has 15 stolen bases.

Why the Detroit Tigers will win

• The Tigers have won each of their last five road games against AL Central opponents.
• The Royals have lost seven of their last eight Monday night games against American League opponents that held a winning record.
• The Tigers have covered the run line in each of their last eight road games against AL Central opponents.
• The Royals have failed to cover the run line in each of their last five games against the Tigers following a loss.

Kansas City Royals Recap

The Kansas City Royals will try to bounce back after failing to complete the sweep thanks to a 4-3 loss in Sunday’s series finale against the Pittsburgh Pirates. Despite a loss in the finale, the Royals still won the series to bounce back from their series loss to the Yankees earlier in the week.

Royals Trying To Secure Playoff Spot

Bobby Witt Jr. leads the Royals with 198 hits including 31 home runs, 103 RBIs, and team-highs of 11 triples and 43 doubles with 28 stolen bases and a .331 batting average. Salvador Perez also has 27 home runs with 102 RBIs and 27 doubles. Maikel Garcia has 7 home runs, 57 RBIs, and 36 stolen bases along with 5 triples and 27 doubles this season. Vinnie Pasquantino has 30 doubles with 19 homers and 97 RBIs of his own on the year.

Why the Kansas City Royals will win

• The Royals have won each of their last four games at Kauffman Stadium.
• The Tigers have lost six of their last seven games against AL Central opponents that held a winning record.
• The Royals have covered the run line in nine of their last 10 games.
• The Tigers have failed to cover the run line in each of their last five night games against the Royals following a home win.

Tigers vs. Royals Prediction

I’m going to lean towards the Royals here. There’s no denying how hot the Tigers are right now, but they’re not winning every game the rest of the way and the Royals continue to play their best baseball at home and Seth Lugo’s flat-out owned the Tigers for much of the year up to this point. I think that Detroit’s going to fight until the very end, but I think that Kansas City gets the better of this one. Give me the Royals here.

Chris Ruffolo's Pick: Kansas City Royals TBA