Tigers vs. Royals:
The Detroit Tigers return to action looking to shake off a rough week that ended with an embarrassing sweep at the hands of Oakland. Their reward is another meeting with the Kansas City Royals, only this time at Kauffman Stadium, where Detroit should feel more comfortable. With a familiar opponent on the mound, the stage is set for the Tigers to find early success and deliver some value on the board.
This matchup feels like the perfect opportunity for Detroit’s offense to get back on track after showing flashes of life in recent weeks. If there was ever a spot for the Tigers to respond, this is it.
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Last Month: 75-93 (+17.38u)
Last Week: 12-18 (+0.29u)
Tigers vs. Royals Best Bets – August 29

Can Torkelson rile up this Tigers offense on the road?
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After getting swept by the city-less Athletics in a three-game series this week, the Detroit Tigers now head to Kansas City to take on the Royals for the second time in less than a week. Only this time, the matchup comes in the cozy confines of Kauffman Stadium. Despite Detroit’s road struggles this season, this spot feels right for them to find success. The Tigers get to face a very familiar opponent, and it feels like the perfect chance to kickstart this three-game set.
Which is why we are all over their delectable first five team total, set at 2.5 and priced at +125. I love that plus money.
Tigers Trends
Over the last two weeks, aside from the sweep and a four-game losing streak, the Tigers have been playing quality baseball. According to Handigraphs, they rank top ten in wRC+, wOBA, OPS, hard contact, and barrel rate during that span. Even more encouraging, they sit second in walk rate.
Detroit’s lineup has some bright spots despite its road woes. In their last 60 plate appearances away from home, seven different hitters have posted hard hit rates of 39.7% or better. This offense may simply be running into some bad luck, lining balls directly at fielders. On top of that, the same stretch shows seven hitters with walk rates above 8.3%, grinding out at bats and finding ways to get on base. That kind of effort is crucial.
Tigers vs. Lugo
The Tigers have not been the flashiest first five team on the road, averaging just under 2.5 runs. That does not concern me. They face a very familiar arm in Seth Lugo. Detroit just saw him last Sunday and knocked him around for six runs. Even better, they have cleared this prop in all three games against Lugo this season.
I believe with this being the fourth look at the Royals right hander, Detroit holds a significant advantage. The more exposure hitters get to a pitcher’s arsenal, the easier it becomes to adjust and prepare for each at bat.
This Tigers lineup also features four elite rated hitters according to Batters-Box, and all four will bat from the left side tonight. That is important, because Lugo has been getting lit up by left handed hitters. In his last 60 faced, he owns a 10.22 ERA, 6.83 xERA, and 6.75 xFIP, while allowing an 18% barrel rate and 5.11 HR/9. Those left handers have combined for a sub-.300 xBA, a .700 xSLG, and a .413 xwOBA during that span.
Overall this season at home, Lugo is allowing 4.6 hits and 2.3 runs per start. While those numbers appear serviceable, his recent form tells a different story. His last five starts show an 8.87 ERA, 5.91 xERA, and 5.93 xFIP. Even in his last five home starts, where he sports a 4.23 ERA, his expected ERA sits at 6.30. When he has had success, it has come with a heavy dose of luck. Pitchers relying on luck are always due for a collapse, and I love capitalizing on that.
The value on this prop is tremendous. Getting +125 for one of the most dangerous offenses in baseball is simply too good to pass up. This feels like the perfect get-right spot for Detroit after a brutal series against Oakland. The bats have been showing signs of life, the plate discipline is there, and the matchup could not be better. Lugo has been trending downward, and the Tigers are in a prime position to punish him again with multiple early runs.
I am looking for Detroit to get back on track, set the tone early, and remind everyone they can still be a dangerous lineup. The spot, the price, and the matchup all point to value, and I am more than willing to back it.
Best Bet: Tigers First Five Team Total Over 2.5 Runs (+125) odds via BetOnline
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