Tigers vs Royals Predictions and Picks

The Detroit Tigers moved to within a half-game of Kansas City in the AL Central standings with a thrilling one-run victory over the Royals on Wednesday night. The Tigers will look to erase that deficit altogether when they square off with the defending champions in the final game of their three-game set tonight.

Who will emerge victorious in this matchup? Read on below for a breakdown of this divisional clash and while you’re at it, you can check out our preview of the game between the New York Yankees and the Oakland Athletics.

MLB World Series News and Previews

Detroit Tigers vs. Kansas City Royals Preview

Where: Kauffman Stadium, Kansas City

When: Thursday, April 21, 7:15 PM ET

Line: Detroit Tigers (+149) at Kansas City Royals (-164); total: 9.0 – view all MLB lines

Betting on the Detroit Tigers (8-5)

The Detroit Tigers finally snapped their two-game losing streak with a narrow 3-2 victory over Kansas City on Wednesday night. Victor Martinez starred for Detroit in this win with the Tigers DH recording his 1000th career RBI. Jordan Zimmermann also dazzled for the Tigers in this Game 2 victory, extending his scoreless streak to 19.1 innings.

The Tigers will look to sustain the momentum of that huge win when they face the Royals in their series finale tonight. Starting for the Tigers in this series decider is right-hander Mike Pelfrey (0-2, 6.52 ERA). He was saddled with his second loss against the Houston Astros on Friday, surrendering an earned run on five hits and six walks over six innings of action. It was a much better performance from Pelfrey who allowed six runs in his season debut against the Yankees. Pelfrey’s 2.07 WHIP is the highest in the Detroit rotation thus far this season.

With Pelfrey still a big question mark at this point, the onus is on the Detroit hitters to provide some much-needed runs tonight. Expected to lead the Tigers offense in this series finale is Miguel Cabrera. He is 5-of-8 (.625) lifetime against Kansas City starter Edinson Volquez with three walks and two RBIs. The Tigers first baseman is hitting 5-of-19 in his last four games with two RBIs.

The Tigers are 6-3 on the road this season.

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Betting on the Kansas City Royals (9-5)

Pitching for the Royals in the series finale is right-hander Edinson Volquez (2-0, 2.04 ERA). He surrendered two runs on eight hits while striking out 10 over 5.2 innings, but received a no-decision Sunday against the Minnesota Twins. Although he failed to pitch over six innings in each of his first three outings, Volquez is off to a solid start with a sparkling 2.04 ERA and a 3.12 FIP.

Volquez can’t do it all alone, though, and he needs the Royals’ hitters to contribute on the offensive end as well. Expected to lead Kansas City in that department tonight are Lorenzo Cain and Omar Infante. Cain is 7-of-14 (.500) lifetime against Detroit starter Mike Pelfrey with four RBIs. Infante, on the other hand, is 17-of-41 (.415) in his career against Pelfrey with three walks and three RBIs.