Kansas City Royals (69-83) vs. Detroit Tigers (74-78)
September 24, 2021 7:10 pm EDT
The Line: Detroit Tigers -125 / Kansas City Royals -105; Over/Under: -8.5
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The Kansas City Royals and the Detroit Tigers meet Friday in MLB action from Comerica Park. Kansas City is coming off a series versus the Indians. The Royals won two of three in that set. As for the Tigers, they played a pair versus the White Sox this week. Detroit managed wins in both those games. Check back all season long for free MLB picks at Sports Chat Place.
Kansas City did fairly well against the Indians this week, winning 7-2 and 4-2 on Monday before a 4-1 victory on Tuesday. There was originally a game scheduled for Wednesday, but it was called off due to inclement weather.
For the starter job in the Friday opener, the Royals will go with Carlos Hernandez. In his 80.2 innings this year Hernandez has 67 hits, 36 runs (35 earned), seven homers, 38 walks, 73 Ks and a 3.90 ERA.
Over on the Tigers’ side, they eked out a 4-3 win over the White Sox on Monday, then kept it going in the Tuesday game with a 5-3 win. Similarly to the Royals, Detroit had their Wednesday matchup postponed due to bad weather.
For the Friday starter gig it’ll be Detroit’s Tarik Skubal on the mound. Skubal is 8-12 over his 29 games (27 starts) this year with a 4.25 ERA and 162 Ks in 142.0 innings of work.
The Royals are 5-1 in their last six in game one of a series and 4-1 in their last five Friday games. KC is 5-2 in their last seven versus a team with a losing record as well.
Meanwhile, the Tigers are 5-0 in their last five home games and 49-107 in their last 156 versus the AL Central. Detroit is also 13-3 in their last 16 after an off day.
PICK: I’m going to try Detroit here. Skubal has been pretty solid over his last three games, posting four earned on eight hits and one elk in 9.0 innings. He’s gone exactly 3.0 frames in each of his last trio. As for Hernandez, he gave up seven earned in 4.0 innings versus the A’s his last time up but had a string of good outings going prior to that. I like a nice starter matchup here with the Tigers eventually pulling out a win.
