Detroit Tigers at Kansas City Royals odds, picks and predictions

The Detroit Tigers (41-51) and Kansas City Royals (27-67) open a 4-game set Monday at Kauffman Stadium. First pitch is scheduled for 8:10 p.m. ET. Let’s analyze BetMGM Sportsbook’s lines around the Tigers vs. Royals odds and make our expert MLB picks and predictions for the best bets.

Season series: Tigers lead 4-2

The Tigers lost 2-0 as +142 underdogs at the Seattle Mariners Sunday. Detroit has won 4 of its last 7 games and is 3rd in the AL Central, 6 games back of the division-leading Minnesota Twins.

The Royals won 8-4 as +199 underdogs at the Tampa Bay Rays Sunday. Kansas City has lost 8 of its last 10 games and is last in the AL Central, 21 games behind the Twins.

Tigers at Royals projected starters

RHP Matt Manning vs. RHP Jordan Lyles

Manning (3-1, 3.72 ERA) makes his 6th start. He has a 1.03 WHIP, 3.1 BB/9 and 6.2 K/9 through 29 innings.

• Last outing: Win, 6 2/3 IP, 0 ER, 0 H, 3 BB, 5 K in 2-0 home win vs. Toronto Blue Jays July 8
• Has won back-to-back decisions
• Career vs. Royals: 1-0, 3.65 ERA (12 1/3 IP, 5 ER), 13 H, 0 HR, 4 BB, 9 K in 3 starts and 1 relief appearance

Lyles (1-11, 6.42 ERA) makes his 18th start. He has a 1.29 WHIP, 2.8 BB/9 and 6.4 K/9 in 96 2/3 innings.

• Last outing: No-decision, 5 IP, 1 ER, 6 H, 0 BB, 5 K in 6-1 loss at Cleveland Guardians July 6
• Royals are 1-16 in his starts
• Career vs. Tigers: 1-2, 3.63 ERA (34 2/3 IP, 14 ER), 29 H, 5 HR, 6 BB, 31 K in 5 starts and 1 relief appearance

Tigers at Royals odds

BetMGM Sportsbook; access USA TODAY Sports Scores and Sports Betting Odds hub for a full list. Lines last updated at 12:16 p.m. ET.

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Tigers at Royals picks and predictions

Prediction

Tigers 5, Royals 4

The Tigers have won 7 of the last 9 meetings between these teams and should get another win with Lyles — MLB’s leader in losses this season — on the mound for the Royals.

Kansas City is arguably the worst team in the league and has not won back-to-back games since July 1-2 vs. the Los Angeles Dodgers.

BET TIGERS (-135).

I personally only bet the moneyline in this game, but an argument can also be made for the Tigers’ run line.

Kansas City has lost 16 of Lyle’s 17 starts, and 14 of them came by multiple runs. Kansas City’s last 10 losses overall have also been by 2 or more runs.

So if you’re also looking to play something at plus money, you can SPRINKLE on TIGERS -1.5 (+120).

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The Under has hit in 4 of Detroit’s last 5 games and 6 of Kansas City’s last 8.

While Lyles is a liability on the mound for playing the Under, he has allowed just 4 or fewer earned runs in 3 straight starts.

LEAN UNDER 9.5(-115).

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