MLB Prediction: Can Verlander lead the Tigers over the Royals? 6/27/17
Can the Detroit Tigers make up some ground on the Kansas City Royals when the two open their series tonight at 7:10PM ET? Here’s our MLB Prediction for this AL Central clash.
THE ODDS
According to the latest oddsmakers, Detroit is the clear favorite today, as the Tigers are getting odds of -170 to win, while the Royals are getting odds of +155 to prevail. The over/under total for the game is listed at 9 runs. The Tigers have won two of three meetings with Kansas City this season.
PITCHING MATCHUP
The pitching matchup for this game has Justin Verlander (4-4, 4.52 ERA) on the mound for the Tigers to face Matt Strahm (2-4, 4.80) of the Royals.
Strahm hasn’t had much success in his two starts, allowing five runs over eight innings. He has 33 strikeouts this season with 20 walks and a 1.43 WHIP. Verlander has shown some improved starts, but is still allowing multiple runs and struggling with walks. He has 86 strikeouts with 43 walks in 87.2 innings and a 1.45 WHIP.
TIGERS
The Tigers snapped an eight-game losing streak on Sunday with a 7-5 win over the Padres. Detroit is now 33-42 overall and 18-16 at home. The Tigers are putting up 4.76 runs per game this season while allowing 5.05 per game. Justin Upton has been leading the Tigers with 14 home runs and 49 RBI while J.D. Martinez has 12 home runs with 27 RBI in 41 games.
ROYALS
The Royals have won five of their last seven, picking up series wins at home over the Red Sox and Blue Jays before hitting the road. KC is now 37-37 overall and 16-19 on the road. KC is scoring just 3.95 runs per game in 2017 while allowing 4.46. Kansas City is being led by Salvador Perez, who has 15 home runs with 43 RBI. Mike Moustakas is adding 19 homers and 46 RBI.
MLB PREDICTION
The Tigers are hard to trust, as they have so many inconsistent parts to their roster. It takes a lot for the hitting, starting pitching and bullpen to all be on the same track. The Royals have been playing some good baseball lately, but they can’t be terribly confident in Strahm.
Verlander looked great in his last start, going perfect through five before a bunt single seemed to throw him off his game. I think he will have another determined performance and lead Detroit to a win.
MLB Prediction: Detroit Tigers -170
