The playoff picture is getting smaller as the season winds down, but Tigers remain in the picture for the Wild Card while the Royals have adjusted to the role of spoiler as they take on Detroit in the middle game of a three game series on Saturday.
You can bet on MLB odds at BookMaker.eu every day of the season.
ODDS ANALYSIS
Just when it looked like the Tigers might be fading out of the picture, struggles by Baltimore and Toronto leave the door open and Detroit captures its first back-to-back wins since September 5.
For the Royals, five straight losses closed out any chance of a late run for them. That seemed to ease the load as they went on to win three straight over Chicago before dropping the first game of a two city road trip ending in Detroit.
Over the season, both Detroit and Kansas City have been a positive bet for those willing to bank on them. They’re both sitting with positive total moneylines with the Tigers second in the league just behind Texas.
PROBABLE PITCHERS
The Tigers’ rotation is completely unpredictable at this point aside from Verlander getting the ball every fifth day. He, however, starts on Thursday.
Detroit’s been doing their best to get Michael Fulmer extra rest to limit his innings and the rest of the rotation is pieced together with some combination Daniel Norris, Matt Boyd, Mike Pelfrey, Buck Farmer and Anibal Sanchez.
We know Verlander, Boyd and Farmer aren’t starting Saturday. Fulmer could get the nod. He could also get the ball on Friday night. Norris is another candidate.
Whether fatigue or the inconsistent schedule, Fulmer’s fallen of a bit and lasted just five innings, giving up six runs against Cleveland his last time out. He’s still got very good numbers overall at 10-7 with a 3.03 ERA and 1.083 WHIP. Norris, meanwhile, is 3-2 with a 3.63 ERA. His WHIP is elevated some, as is his batting average against, both artificially high due to a high BABIP.
Whichever starter gets the nod on Saturday, it sounds like it’ll at least be a solid starter for the Tigers as they continue their push to try and earn a Wild Card spot.
As for the Royals, they’ll turn to Yordano Ventura.
The 25-year old flamethrower has been an enigma. He’s got all of the talent in the world, but hasn’t put it all together. He started to go on an impressive run in August that resulted in the Royals winning all six of his starts that month, but he regressed some in September.
He bounced back his last time, tossing a complete game against the White Sox, allowing three runs on nine hits. The last two times he faced Detorit, he lasted at least six innings in each, allowing just a single run in each game.
Overall, the third year right-hander is 11-11 with a 4.35 ERA and 1.403 WHIP.
LIVE BETTING
The Royals offense over the last few years has been able to out produce what you’d expect from the names on the back of the jerseys.
They’ve been able to put the bat on the ball, utilize speed, and make just enough good things happen to allow the defense and bullpen to pull out a win.
Well, the Royals bullpen hasn’t been as strong, but the defense is still there as is the hitting—at least here in September as the Royals have out hit the Tigers quite considerably this month.
Much of that offensive production can be attributed back to Kendrys Morales. Outside of a strong June, the rest of the 2016 season has been a bust for Morales, but here in September, he’s hitting .343 with seven home runs and 25 RBIs.
QUICK PICK
Ventura is pitching much better than he did earlier in the year and has shown he can handle the Tigers’ lineup the last two times he matchup up against Detroit.
Kansas City has the better offense of late, too, and they’ve beaten the Tigers in 10 of their 16 meetings heading into this series. Whether Fulmer or Norris is on the mound, the Tigers should get a good start, but Ventura should offer the same.
The Royals also have the better bullpen even with Joakim Soria’s struggles. Wade Davis is back and Kelvin Herrera is there to set him up while in Detroit, it’s K-Rod and little else.
Look for a close game, solid starting performances by both teams with the Royals doing enough on offense to get the win and the bullpen holding the lead, very reminiscent of the September and October runs for this team the last two years.
MLB Odds: Royals 5, Tigers 4
Load your betting bankroll from your smartphone with BookMaker’s new cashier feature! Depositing and withdrawing funds from your account has never been easier. BookMaker's live betting platform means you always have access to odds and lines to every sporting event. Click here and start wagering today! First pitch for the game between the Kansas City Royals and Detroit Tigers is scheduled for Saturday, September 24, 2016, at 1:05 p.m. ET at Comerica Park. The matchup will be televised regionally on FOX.
