The Kansas City Royals (7-9) and Detroit Tigers (7-9) open a 3-game AL Central series Tuesday. First pitch from Comerica Park in Detroit, Michigan, is at 6:40 p.m. ET. Let’s analyze MLB odds around the Royals vs. Tigers odds and make our expert MLB picks and predictions for the best bets.
2025 season series: Tigers 9-4
The Royals open a 6-game road trip coming off a series split of a 4-game series at home against the Chicago White Sox. They were off on Monday after losing the Sunday finale 6-5. They led 5-4 lead after 5 innings, but allowed runs in the sixth and seventh and did not score again. SS Bobby Witt Jr. had a 2-run double and walked twice, going 1 for 2.
The Tigers were also idle on Monday. After losing 5 straight games, they have won 3 games in a row, sweeping the Miami Marlins in Detroit. They won the finale 8-Sunday behind LHP Tarik Skubal (6 2/3 IP, 2 H, 1 ER, 2 BB, 7 K). Everyone in the lineup got at least 1 hit, and the Tigers homered 3 times.
Royals at Tigers projected starters
LHP Cole Ragans vs. LHP Framber Valdez
Ragans (0-3, 5.91 ERA) makes his fourth start. He has a 1.69 WHIP, 6 BB and 15 K in 10 2/3 innings.
- Last start: Loss, 2/3 IP, 3 ER, 2 H, 1 BB, 2 K in a 10-2 road loss to the Cleveland Guardians Wednesday
- Career vs. Tigers: 2-2, 3.64 ERA (29 2/3 IP, 12 ER), 1.21 WHIP, 12.4 K/9 in 6 appearances (5 starts)
- 2025 road splits: 2-1, 4.34 ERA (29 IP, 14 ER), 1.21 WHIP, 15.5 K/9 in 6 starts
Valdez (1-1, 4.76 ERA) makes his fourth start. He has a 1.47 WHIP, 5 BB and 12 K in 17 innings.
- Last start: Loss, 5 IP, 8 ER, 10 H, 2 BB, 2 K in an 8-6 road loss to the Minnesota Twins Wednesday
- Career vs. Royals: 2-3, 3.29 ERA (52 IP, 19 ER), 1.06 WHIP, 7.8 K/9 in 9 appearances (7 starts)
- 2025 home splits (with Houston Astros): 6-4, 2.58 ERA (94 1/3 IP, 27 ER), 1.16 WHIP, 9.7 K/9 in 15 starts
- Career stats at Comerica Park: 3-2, 3.20 ERA (45 IP, 16 ER), 1.17 WHIP, 7.8 K/9 in 8 games (7 starts)
Royas at Tigers odds
Provided by BetMGM Sportsbook; access USA TODAY Sports Scores and Sports Betting Odds hub for a full list. Lines last updated at 8:56 a.m. ET.
- Moneyline (ML): Royals +105 (bet $100 to win $105) | Tigers -125 (bet $125 to win $100)
- Run line (RL)/Against the spread (ATS): Royals -1.5 (+170) | Tigers +1.5 (-210)
- Over/Under (O/U): 7.5 (O: -115 | U: -105)
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Royals at Tigers picks and predictions
Prediction
Tigers 4, Royals 2
The Tigers are 5-1 at home to start the season and Valdez allowed only 1 ER in his first 2 starts before getting tagged for 8 runs in 5 innings in his last outing. He did not allow a run in his only home start so far this season.
The Royals are 2-4 in road games and Ragans has taken the loss in all 3 of his outings. They are 0-2 so far in road series openers this season.
BET TIGERS (-125).
The Royals are 4-6 ATS as run line favorites this season. All 6 ATS losses were outright defeats.
All 7 of the Tigers’ 7 ATS wins have been outright wins, so you get better value betting them on the ML than the run line, but since all 7 of the Tigers’ wins have been by 2 or more runs, you should consider TIGERS -1.5 ALTERNATE SPREAD (+170).
Five of the Royals’ last 7 games have not reached 8 total runs while 4 of the Tigers’ last 6 games have not reached 8 total runs. Eight of the 13 meetings in 2025 stayed below 8 total runs.
BET UNDER 7.5 (-105).
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