The big boys of the American League Central clash tonight as the Kansas City Royals (18-10) and the Detroit Tigers (18-11) open a three-game series at Comerica Park. Both teams are coming off wins on Thursday, with the Royals defeating the Cleveland Indians, 7-4, and the Tigers subduing the Chicago White Sox, 4-1. Will Kansas City keep its solo share of the division’s top spot? Or will Detroit tie the Royals at No. 1 in the AL Central?
Over in the NHL, the Washington Capitals and the New York Rangers continue their highly entertaining playoff series later tonight. You can click here to read a full preview of Game 5 of that series.
[sc:MLBArticles ]Kansas City Royals vs. Detroit Tigers Preview
Where: Comerica Park, Detroit
When: Friday, May 8, 2015, 7:08 PM ET
Line: Kansas City Royals (+145) vs. Detroit Tigers (-160); total: 7.5– view all MLB lines
Betting on the Kansas City Royals
Yordano Ventura (2-2, 4.94 ERA) is looking to remain unbeaten against Detroit in his young career thus far. Ventura made his majors debut in 2013, but became a regular in the Royals rotation in 2014. He went 2-0 with one start against Detroit last year, tossing for 8.2 total innings and giving up three earned runs on nine hits.
[sc:MLB240banner ]The Royals have a penchant for winning games away from Kauffman Stadium when the right-hander is on the mound, a trend they’ll look to continue when they face Detroit tonight. Kansas City is 7-1 in Ventura’s last eight road starts.
The lone loss in that record, however, came in Ventura’s most recent start, a 7-5 road loss against Cleveland on April 29. Ventura was roughed up by the Tribe, as he gave up five runs on six hits in 5.1 innings. Ventura aims to bounce back from that loss, hoping that the Royals’ excellent offense will back him up.
The Royals are first in the majors in batting average (.289), and in on-base percentage (.345), and fourth in slugging percentage (.433). A big contributor to the Royals’ offense is Eric Hosmer, who is batting .375 with two homers and eight RBIs over the Kansas City’s last six games.
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Betting on the Detroit Tigers
Kansas City is arguably the best team in the league when it comes to offense, but Detroit isn’t too far behind. The Tigers are second in the majors in BA (.275), and in OBP (344), and seventh in SLG (.431)
The Tigers’ 1-2 hitters atop the batting order have been exceptional this season with Anthony Gose (.313/.343/.448) and Rajai Davis (.274/.375/.419) sharing leadoff duties. Batting second is Ian Kinsler, who’s hitting .313 to go along with an OBP of.343.
No. 3 hitter Miguel Cabrera is also doing a magnificent job of either setting the table for cleanup hitter Victor Martinez and J.D. Martinez or driving in runs himself. Cabrera paces the team with a terrific triple slash line of .350/.456/.583 to go along with six homers and 21 RBIs this season.
On the mound for Detroit against Kansas City tonight is David Price (3-1, 2.93 ERA). As good as the Royals are at the plate, scoring runs will be easier said than done against Price. Price faced Kansas City in his last start, and pitched a complete game five-hitter with only one run allowed in Detroit’s 2-1 win at Kauffman Stadium. Price has consistently kept the bats of the Royals’ Eric Hosmer, Mike Moustakas, and Kendrys Morales silent as they are a combined 6-for-31 (.193) against the former AL Cy Young Award winner.
The under is 5-1 in Price’s last six home starts.
Writer’s Prediction
Detroit (-160) wins, 5-3.
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