Royals vs Tigers Prediction 4/16/2026 Today’s MLB Picks

In this article we will formulate a Royals vs Tigers prediction for this MLB game on Thursday, April 16th at Comerica Park in Detroit, Michigan. Let’s take a look at the prediction for this MLB matchup. 

Kansas City Royals Betting Preview

The Kansas City Royals are 7-11 this season after they lost the first two games in this series by scores of 1-2 and 1-2. In game two, Kansas City tied the game at one in the fifth, but they stranded a runner at third in the eighth and ninth for the low scoring loss. The Royals recorded six hits in the game and they were led by Isbel, who went 1-2 with one RBI. Lugo allowed five hits and one earned run over 6.2 innings, while Morgan allowed one earned run in relief and picked up the loss. Prior to this series, Kansas City split four games with the White Sox and lost two out of three against the Guardians. 

This season, Kansas City has a 3.73 ERA with a 1.28 WHIP and a .228 opponent batting average, while they have scored 56 runs with a .214 batting average and a .301 on base percentage. Carter Jensen has led the Royals with four home runs and nine RBIs, while Maikel Garcia has added two home runs and eight RBIs. The projected starting pitcher for Kansas City is Kris Bubic, who is 2-1 with a 2.50 ERA and a 0.83 WHIP over 18.0 innings pitched this season. 

Detroit Tigers Betting Preview

The Detroit Tigers are 9-9 this year after they won game two in this series by a score of 2-1 on Wednesday. Detroit blew a 1-0 lead in the middle innings, but they scored in the eighth to escape with the win. The Tigers recorded seven hits in the game and they were led by Perez and Rogers, who both had one RBI. Flaherty allowed two hits and one earned run over 6.0 innings, while Finnegan picked up the win and Jansen got another save. Prior to this series, Detroit won all three against the Marlins, but lost all four against the Twins before that. 

This season, Detroit has a 3.35 ERA with a 1.25 WHIP and a .221 opponent batting average, while they have scored 74 runs with a .237 batting average and a .322 on base percentage. Dillon Dingler has led the Tigers with three home runs and 12 RBIs, while Riley Greene has added one home run and 10 RBIs. The projected starting pitcher for Detroit is Keider Montero, who is 1-1 with a 1.74 ERA and a 0.68 WHIP over 10.1 innings pitched this year. 

Why the Detroit Tigers will win

• The home team has won 15 of the Tigers’ last 16 games.
• The Royals have lost each of their last four road games.
• The Royals have failed to cover the run line in four of their last five road games against AL Central opponents following a road loss.
• The Tigers have covered the run line in four of their last five day games following a win.
• The Royals have trailed after 5 innings in four of their last five day games at Comerica Park against American League opponents.

Why the Kansas City Royals will win

• The Tigers have lost each of their last four day games against AL Central opponents following a win.
• The Royals have won eight of their last 10 day games following a loss.
• The Tigers have failed to cover the run line in each of their last eight games against AL Central opponents following a win.
• The Royals have covered the run line in each of their last four games against the Tigers following a loss.
• The Royals have led after 3 innings in three of their last four games against AL Central opponents.
• The Royals have led after 5 innings in four of their last five games against AL Central opponents.

Total Runs Facts

• Each of the Tigers’ last four home games against AL Central opponents have gone UNDER the total runs line.
• Five of the Royals’ last six games have gone UNDER the total runs line.
• The ‘Inning 1 UNDER 0.5 runs’ market has hit in each of the last seven games between the Royals and Tigers at Comerica Park.
• The ‘Inning 1 UNDER 0.5 runs’ market has hit in 10 of the Royals’ last 11 games at Comerica Park.

Detroit Tigers Player Prop Facts

• Wenceel Perez has hit a home run in two of the Tigers’ last three home games against the Royals.
• Gleyber Torres has recorded at least one hit in each of his last nine appearances in day games.

Kansas City Royals Player Prop Facts

• Kris Bubic has recorded six or more strikeouts in each of his last three road appearances against AL opponents.
• Starling Marte has hit a home run in three of his last 10 road appearances after playing the previous day.
• Kris Bubic has recorded a win in each of his last three road appearances.
• Starling Marte has recorded at least one hit in eight of his last nine appearances against the Tigers after playing the previous day.

Royals vs Tigers Prediction 

Detroit was able to extend their winning streak with another low scoring win on Wednesday and they have allowed two runs or fewer in five straight games. The Tigers are 7-1 at home this year, while the Royals are 2-6 on the road. Kansas City has lost three in a row and they have scored two runs or fewer in four of their last five. The Royals are starting Bubic, who has allowed 1, 4, and 0 earned runs in his last three starts, while Montero has allowed two earned runs over 10.1 innings. I think KC has the slight pitching advantage, but I won’t back this offense. Take the Tigers here.

David Racey's Pick: Tigers ML