Sunday, September 20, 2015

Comerica Park

For Updated Odds on This Game Click Here

Probable Pitchers: Kris Medlen (4-1) vs. Alfredo Simon (13-9)

The Detroit Tigers welcome the Kansas City Royals to Comerica Park on Sunday. The probable starters are Kris Medlen for the Royals and Alfredo Simon for the Tigers. The opening line for this matchup has Kansas City at -123 and Detroit at +113. The over/under was set at 8.5. The Royals, with a 80-67 run line record, cover the spread 54% of the time. They also have a 66-67 over/under record. The Tigers are 67-79 against the run line and have a 79-60 over/under record. They cover the spread 46% of the time.

The Royals come into this game with a 86-61 record, and they are 38-34 away from home. Starting pitcher Kris Medlen holds a 4-1 record with an earned run average of 3.92 and a WHIP of 1.12. He's pitched 43.2 innings thus far while surrendering 38 hits over that time and when he starts, the Royals are 3-2. Their record against the over/under when he starts is 3-2. He is getting 3.8 runs from the team when he takes the mound. The bullpen has given up 380 hits on the season and have an earned run average of 2.71. The bullpen has struck out 451 and walked 168 batters this season while opposing teams hit .211 against them. Kansas City has a team average of 8.55 hits allowed per game and are averaging 7.12 strikeouts per nine innings. With a team earned run average of 3.78, they are 11th in the league.

As a team, Kansas City is batting .270, good for 2nd in the league while putting together a .259 average away from home. The Royals on-base percentage sits at .321, which puts them at 12th in the league and they have a team slugging percentage of .411. With 161 hits, Eric Hosmer leads the team while his team ranks 4th in hits per game with 9.25.

With a 68-78 overall record, Detroit will come into this game 34-38 at home. With an earned run average of 4.91, Alfredo Simon will come into this game holding a 13-9 record and a 1.43 WHIP. He's pitched 166.2 innings thus far while surrendering 175 hits over that time in which the Tigers are 16-12. Their record against the over/under when he starts is 15-11. He is getting 4.8 runs from the team when he takes the mound. The bullpen has given up 485 hits on the season and have a team earned run average of 4.58. The Tigers bullpen has struck out 359 batters and walked 183 this season while opposing teams have hit .274 against them. Detroit has a team average of 9.44 hits per game and are averaging 6.89 strikeouts per nine innings. With a team earned run average of 4.73, they are 28th in the league.

As a team, they are batting .272, good for 1st in the league while putting together a .276 average at home. The Tigers on-base percentage sits at .328, which puts them at 3rd in the league and they have a team slugging percentage of .424. With 172 hits, Ian Kinsler leads the team while his team ranks 1st in hits per game with 9.5.

In terms of team defense, the Royals have a fielding percentage of .985 with 82 total errors, 1,460 assists and 3,942 put outs. Over the course of this season, the Tigers have accumulated 73 errors while having 1,455 assists and 3,937 put outs leading to a .987 fielding percentage.

Kansas City Royals Betting Trends

The Kansas City Royals are 66-67 against the over/under so far this season

The Kansas City Royals are 80-67 against the run line so far this season

Detroit Tigers Betting Trends

The Detroit Tigers are 79-60 against the over/under so far this season

The Detroit Tigers are 67-79 against the run line so far this season

Injuries to Watch

Kansas City Royals

07/22/15 P Jason Vargas Elbow Injury is on the 15 day disabled list (7/22); out for season
05/17/15 P Brian Flynn Shoulder Injury is on the 60 day disabled list (5/16)
04/06/15 P Tim Collins Elbow Injury is on the 15 day disabled list (4/6)

Detroit Tigers

09/10/15 P Buck Farmer Forearm "?" for next scheduled start
09/04/15 SS Jose Iglesias Finger out indefinitely
08/20/15 P Anibal Sanchez Rotator Cuff Injury is on the 15 day disabled list (8/20)
05/08/15 P Joe Nathan Elbow Injury is on the 60 day disabled list (4/7), out for season

Josh's Pick: Take the Tigers

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