Kansas City Royals at Detroit Tigers MLB Picks 8/8/2019

Thursday, August 8, 2019

Comerica Park

Get todays MLB odds and lines on this game.

Probable Pitchers: Jorge Lopez vs. Matthew Boyd

Whit Merrifield and the Kansas City Royals (41-74, 4th in AL Central) head to Comerica Park on Thursday where they'll meet the Detroit Tigers (33-77, 5th in AL Central).

The Royals have been bad for MLB wagerers, having gone 41-74-0 SU. Detroit is covering 30.0% of the time, going 33-77-0 straight up.

Valuable Kansas City Royals Betting Trends

The Royals have been a less than ideal Under choice for O/U MLB wagerers, having gone 58-51-6.

The Royals cover 31.6% of the time as a visitor, having gone 18-39-0 straight up.

Important Detroit Tigers Betting Trends

Detroit is covering 26.9% of the time at Comerica Park, going 14-38-0 SU.

The Tigers have been a dicey Over choice for O/U MLB wagerers, having gone 50-53-7.

Key Kansas City Royals Injuries

8/6/2019 Danny Duffy SP Hamstring Expected to be out until at least Aug 20
8/3/2019 Adalberto Mondesi SS Shoulder Expected to be out until at least Aug 20
8/3/2019 Trevor Oaks SP Hip Expected to be out until at least Aug 16
7/25/2019 Jesse Hahn SP Elbow Expected to be out until at least Aug 8
3/11/2019 Salvador Perez C Elbow Out for the season

Key Detroit Tigers Injuries

8/6/2019 Christin Stewart LF Concussion Expected to be out until at least Aug 9
8/6/2019 Jeimer Candelario 3B Thumb Expected to be out until at least Aug 27
8/5/2019 Tyson Ross SP Elbow Expected to be out until at least Aug 7
8/5/2019 Jordan Zimmermann SP Neck Expected to be out until at least Aug 16
7/24/2019 Josh Harrison 2B Hamstring Expected to be out until at least Aug 13
7/24/2019 Grayson Greiner C Back Expected to be out until at least Aug 27
4/30/2019 Matt Moore SP Knee Out for the season
3/23/2019 Michael Fulmer SP Elbow Out for the season
10/25/2019 Artie Lewicki RP Elbow Out for the season

Useful Pitching Statistics

The Royals have a 41-74 overall record this season. Starting pitcher Jorge Lopez has a 1-7 record with an earned run average of 6.19 and a WHIP of 1.52 this season. He has 80 strikeouts over his 84.1 innings pitched and he's given up 97 hits. He's allowed 10.4 hits per 9 innings and he has a FIP of 5.22. The bullpen has an earned run average of 4.79 and they have given up 407 base hits on the year. Teams are hitting .267 against the bullpen and they've struck out 363 hitters and walked 181 batters. As a team, Kansas City allows 9.5 hits per nine innings while striking out 7.8 batters per nine innings. They are 26th in the league in team earned run average at 5.04. The Royals pitchers collectively have given up 1,074 base hits and 567 earned runs. They have allowed 153 home runs this season, ranking them 16th in the league. Kansas City as a pitching staff has walked 408 batters and struck out 879. They have walked 3.6 men per 9 innings while striking out 7.8 per 9. They have a team WHIP of 1.46 and their FIP as a unit is 4.83.

Related: Get MLB picks & tips on all of today's games

Hitting Statistics

As a team Kansas City is hitting .246, good for 22nd in the league. The Royals hold a .401 team slugging percentage and an on-base percentage of .310, which is good for 24th in baseball. They rank 21st in MLB with 8.4 hits per game. Whit Merrifield is hitting .301 with an on-base percentage of .356. He has 145 hits this season in 481 at bats with 55 runs batted in. He has a slugging percentage of .478 and an OPS+ of 119. Alex Gordon is hitting .271 this year and he has an on-base percentage of .344. He has totaled 111 hits and he has driven in 60 men in 410 at bats. His OPS+ is 102 while his slugging percentage is at .422. The Royals have 962 hits, including 201 doubles and 113 home runs. Kansas City has walked 327 times so far this season and they have struck out 979 times as a unit. They have left 746 men on base and have a team OPS of .710. They score 4.3 runs per contest and have scored a total of 494 runs this year.

Useful Pitching Statistics

Detroit has a 33-77 overall mark this year. With an earned run average of 3.91, Matthew Boyd has a 6-8 record and a 1.13 WHIP. He has 187 strikeouts over the 138 innings he's pitched. He also has given up 126 hits. He's allowing 8.2 hits per nine innings and his FIP stands at 3.46. The bullpen has an earned run average of 5.09 and they have given up 432 base hits on the year. Teams are hitting .262 against the Tigers bullpen. Their relievers have struck out 378 batters and walked 188 opposing hitters. As a team, Detroit allows 9.7 hits per nine innings while striking out 8.4 batters per nine innings. They are 27th in the league in team earned run average at 5.14. The Tigers pitchers as a team have surrendered 1,060 base knocks and 562 earned runs this season. They have given up 163 home runs this year, which ranks 10th in Major League Baseball. Detroit as a staff has walked 360 hitters and struck out 914 batters. They give up a walk 3.3 times per 9 innings while they strike out 8.4 per 9. Their team WHIP is 1.44 while their FIP as a staff is 4.75.

Hitting Statistics

As a team, they are batting .235, good for 30th in the league. The Tigers hold a .385 team slugging percentage and an on-base percentage of .294, which is good for 29th in baseball. They rank 28th in MLB with 8.1 hits per contest. Miguel Cabrera comes into this matchup batting .288 with an OBP of .348. He has 104 hits this year along with 43 RBI in 361 AB's. He maintains a slugging percentage of .391 with an OPS+ of 95. Niko Goodrum is hitting .251 this season and he has an OBP of .326. He has collected 95 hits in 378 at bats while driving in 41 runs. He has an OPS+ of 94 and a slugging percentage of .415. The Tigers as a unit have 895 base hits, including 207 doubles and 102 homers. Detroit has walked 293 times this year and they have struck out on 1,084 occasions. They have had 748 men left on base and have an OPS of .678. They have scored 3.65 runs per game and totaled 405 runs this season.

Who will win tonight's Royals/Tigers MLB game against the spread?

Guy's Pick: Take the Royals

Get $60 worth of FREE premium member picks. No Obligation. No Salesman. No Credit Card. Fast Sign up with Instant Access Click Here

Read more articles by Guy Bruhn