The MLB-leading Detroit Tigers seek a fifth straight win when they open a three-game set against the Kansas City Royals. K.C., who trail the Tigers by seven games at the top of the AL Central, are +100 moneyline underdogs in the MLB odds.
Our Tigers vs. Royals prediction thinks Detroit pitching tilts the scales in their favor this Friday.
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Tigers vs Royals prediction
My Tigers vs Royals best bet: Tigers moneyline (-120 at Caesars)
After avoiding a sweep with a win in the finale of their four-game series with the Cleveland Guardians, the Detroit Tigers got back to the business of winning with a sweep of the San Francisco Giants.
Detroit, which ranks third in baseball with a 3.22 ERA, limited the Giants to five runs across the series, including a pair of 3-1 wins to open the set. That was a big help to Detroit’s offense, that ranks just outside the Top 10 in runs per game at 4.52.
They give the ball to righty Casey Mize, who is 6-1 on the year with a 2.45 ERA.
Mize is coming off back-to-back starts where he’s allowed just one earned run in each. Last time out, he held Cleveland to four hits over five innings and struck out six.
The Kansas City Royals have lost back-to-back series but are coming off a 3-2 win to avoid a sweep against the Reds.
The Royals’ pitching staff – which is right there with Detroit, second in the majors with a 3.17 ERA – was rocked against Cincy, allowing 17 runs over the three games.
K.C. is handing the ball to veteran Seth Lugo, who should be coming off the IL in time to get the start. He was dealing with inflammation in his right middle finger.
Lugo is 3-4 on the year with a 3.02 ERA. He had a loss against Detroit this year, giving up three earned runs on five hits over 6 2/3 innings, walking two and striking out five.
Detroit took three of four from K.C. in an April series, and have six wins in the last seven head-to-head matchups. Mize has a win over K.C. this year, going a season-best seven innings, allowing just four hits and one earned run in a 3-1 win.
His stuff should be enough to outduel Lugo and deliver a win in the opener.
Tigers vs Royals same-game parlay (SGP)
Tigers moneyline
Gleyber Torres Over 1.5 total bases
Casey Mize Under 3.5 strikeouts
Second-baseman Gleyber Torres picked up a couple of hits in the finale against the Giants, and he’s been hitting it well of late.
Torres has picked up hits in four of his last five games, and has grabbed at least two total bases in three of those outings.
He’ll be facing Lugo for the first time, but he’s hitting a solid .288 on the road this season.
We’ll wrap this SGP with Mize’s strikeout total, set at what seems like a generous 3.5 for Friday.
He has fanned at least four batters in four straight starts, but that streak started after he struck out three against these same Royals.
In four starts over the last two seasons, Mize has failed to hit the four-strikeout mark against the Royals, who are second in the majors with the fewest K’s.
I think Mize will have a good outing, but he just won’t hit that figure against this lineup.
Tigers vs Royals odds
Tigers vs Royals live odds
Tigers vs Royals opening odds
- Moneyline: Detroit -112 | Kansas City +101
- Run line: Detroit -1.5 | Kansas City +1.5
- Over/Under: Over 8 | Under 8
Tigers vs Royals trend
The Under is 4-1-1 in the last six matchups between these teams. Find more MLB betting trends for Tigers vs. Royals.
How to watch Tigers vs Royals and game info
| Location | Kauffman Stadium, Kansas City, MO |
| Date | Friday, 5-30-2025 |
| First pitch | 8:10 p.m. ET |
| TV | FDSN |
| Tigers starting pitcher | Casey Mize (6-1, 2.45 ERA) |
| Royals starting pitcher | Seth Lugo (3-4, 3.02 ERA) |
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