Royals vs Tigers Prediction 4/18/25 MLB Picks

In this article we will formulate a Royals vs Tigers prediction for this MLB game on Friday, April 18th 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 8-12 this year and they have lost four games in a row. Kansas City is coming off of a loss in game one of this series by a score of 6-1. In that game, the Royals had plenty of baserunners, but couldn’t find any runs until the eighth inning in the loss. Kansas City recored seven hits in the game and they were led by Garcia, who went 1-3 with one RBI and one walk in the loss. The Royals started Lorenzen, who allowed seven hits and four earned runs over 4.2 innings in the loss, while Stratton allowed four hits and two earned runs over 1.2 innings in relief. 

Prior to this series, the Royals lost all three games against the Yankees and two out of three against the Guardians. The Kansas City pitching staff has a 3.49 ERA with a 1.28 WHIP and a .237 opponent batting average, while the offense has scored 59 runs with a .207 batting average and a .277 on base percentage this season. Vinnie Pasquantino has led KC with two home runs and 11 RBIs, while Salvador Perez has added two home runs and 10 RBIs this year. The projected starting pitcher for Kansas City is Cole Ragans, who is 1-0 with a 2.28 ERA and a 0.93 WHIP over 23.2 innings pitched this season. 

Detroit Tigers Betting Preview

The Detroit Tigers are 11-8 this season and they have lost three of their last five games. In the 6-1 win in game one of this series, Detroit scored the first four runs in the game and added two insurance runs in the eighth to seal the win. The Tigers recorded 12 hits in the game and they were led by Torkelson, who went 2-4 with three RBIs and one walk. Detroit started Olson, who allowed four hits over 5.0 innings of work, while Holton, Brieske, and Kahnle pitched the final four innings in the victory. 

Prior to this series, the Tigers lost two out of three against the Brewers and won two out of three against the Twins. The Detroit pitching staff has a 3.38 ERA with a 1.13 WHIP and a .213 opponent batting average, while the offense has scored 87 runs with a .243 batting average and a .322 on base percentage this season. Spencer Torkelson has led Detroit with six home runs and 16 RBIs, while Kerry Carpenter has added five home runs and 10 RBIs this year. The projected starting pitcher for Detroit is Jackson Jobe, who is 1-0 with a 3.00 ERA and a 1.13 WHIP over 15.0 innings pitched this season. 

Why the Tigers will beat the Royals 

• The Royals have lost each of their last seven night games against American League opponents that held a winning record.
• The Tigers have won 11 of their last 12 night games against American League opponents that held a losing record.
• The Tigers have covered the run line in each of their last nine games against the Royals following a win.
• The Royals have failed to cover the run line in eight of their last nine night games against AL Central opponents.
• The Tigers have led after 5 innings in seven of their last nine home night games.
• The Royals have trailed after 3 innings in three of their last four games at Comerica Park.

Total Runs Facts

• Seven of the Royals’ last eight games as road favorites have gone UNDER the total runs line.
• Five of the Tigers’ last six games have gone UNDER the total runs line.
• The ‘Inning 1 UNDER 0.5 runs’ market has hit in seven of the Royals’ last eight night games.
• The ‘Inning 1 UNDER 0.5 runs’ market has hit in each of the Tigers’ last four games at Comerica Park.

Detroit Tigers Player Prop Facts

• Spencer Torkelson has recorded a Double in each of the Tigers’ last three home games against opponents that held a losing record.
• Spencer Torkelson has hit a home run in each of the Tigers’ last two games as underdogs against AL Central opponents.
• Spencer Torkelson has recorded at least one RBI in each of the Tigers’ last five home games against opponents that held a losing record.
• Gleyber Torres has recorded at least one Single in each of his last 10 appearances against AL opponents that held a losing record.
• Gleyber Torres has recorded at least one hit in each of his last 13 appearances against opponents that held a losing record.
• Jake Rogers has scored at least one run in seven of his last eight appearances in night games against teams that held a losing record.
• Spencer Torkelson ranks 8th amongst qualified players for Slugging Percentage (.629) this season.

Kansas City Royals Player Prop Facts

• Bobby Witt Jr. has recorded at least one hit in each of the Royals’ last 12 road games against AL Central opponents.
• Maikel Garcia has recorded at least one RBI in each of the Royals’ last six road games against AL Central opponents that held a winning record.
• Bobby Witt Jr. has scored at least one run in each of the Royals’ last 12 Friday night games against AL opponents that held a winning record.
• Vinnie Pasquantino has hit at least one home run in two of the Royals’ last three games as road favorites against the Tigers.
• Michael Massey has recorded at least one Single in seven of the Royals’ last eight night games against AL Central opponents that held a winning record.

Matchup/League Facts

• The Tigers rank 3rd in the league for runs allowed this season (68).
• The Tigers rank T26th in the league for strikeouts against this season (182).
• The Royals rank 28th in the league for runs scored this season (59).
• The Royals rank 28th in the league for batting average this season (.207).

Royals vs Tigers Prediction 

Detroit was able to snap out of a small offensive funk in game one of this series and they are 6-1 at home this year. Kansas City is just 2-8 on the road this season and their offense continues to be a huge issue. The Royals have scored two runs or fewer in six of their last ten games, which has really ruined a great start by their pitching staff. KC has the pitching advantage in this matchup with Ragans on the mound, but I don’t trust the offense to do enough against Jobe. We saw Jackson Jobe have a great outing last time out and I think he can build on that against this weak KC lineup. Take the Tigers here.