The Detroit Tigers (60-92) and their least productive offense in baseball are set to host the Kansas City Royals (63-90) at Comerica Park on Tuesday for the opener of a three-game series. The Royals are kicking off a nine-game road trip after closing out a productive six-game homestand (5-1). They won two out of three in their last series against the Mariners, taking the finale 13-12 on Sunday at Ewing M. Kauffman Stadium. Hunter Dozier was 3 for 3 with a double, one run, and two RBIs. Ryan O’Hearn added a double, one run, and two RBIs. The Tigers are playing the first of six games at home after concluding a productive six-game road trip (5-1). They are coming off a three-game sweep of the White Sox, taking the finale 4-1 on Sunday at Guaranteed Rate Field. Jonathan Schoop went 2 for 4 with a double, one run, and one RBI.
HEAD-TO-HEAD
The Royals have won nine of 16 in the season series between the AL Central rivals, including a 4-0 victory in their most recent meeting on September 11 at Ewing M. Kauffman Stadium. Brady Singer threw seven scoreless innings to get the win.
ON THE MOUND
Zack Greinke (4-9, 4.21 ERA) is slated for the start for Kansas City. The right-hander allowed four runs over 5.1 innings in his last start, a 5-4 road win over the Twins on September 20. He gave up 10 hits while striking out three in the no-decision. Greinke has made one previous start against the Tigers this season, a 4-2 home loss on April 14. He surrendered two runs on five hits over 5.1 innings, walking one. For Detroit, left-hander Joey Wentz (2-2, 3.13 ERA) gets the ball. He has made one prior start against the Royals this season, holding opposing hitters scoreless over 6.2 innings in a 10-2 road win on September 9. He gave up two hits and walked one, while striking out five in the win. In his last start on September 20, Wentz got the win on the road against the Orioles. He threw 5.2 scoreless innings and gave up two hits, striking out four and walking two in the 3-2 triumph.
AT THE PLATE
The Kansas City offense is averaging 4.0 runs per game for the season, with a slash line of .245/.307/.381. Bobby Witt Jr. leads the team in OPS at .737. The shortstop is slashing .257/.296/.442 with 20 home runs, 80 RBIs, and 81 runs over 142 games. Over the last five games, though, Kansas City has averaged 6.4 runs a game while slashing better across the board (.314/.356/.491). Against southpaws like Wentz this season, the Royals have a .721 OPS. Witt Jr. also is the team’s best hitter against left-handers with a .755 OPS in 133 at-bats. Detroit is slashing .230/.286/.345 for the season and averaging 3.4 runs per game, lowest in the league. Javier Baez leads the team with a .674 OPS. The shortstop has 15 home runs, 61 RBIs, and 60 runs scored with a slash line of .241/.281/.394. The Tigers have a .603 OPS against right-handers in 2022, lowest in the league. With a .618 OPS over 395 at-bats, Baez also has been their best hitter against right-handers.
HOME AND AWAY
Kansas City is 24-48 in away games in 2022, scoring 3.8 runs per game while allowing 5.1 runs. Detroit has gone 30-45 at home this season, averaging 3.4 runs per game while surrendering 4.5. Kansas City is 6-4 in the last 10 meetings at Comerica Park with an average scoreline of 4.1-2.9.
STANDINGS UPDATE
The Royals are fourth in the AL Central, 23 games behind the division-leading Guardians. The Tigers are fifth in the AL Central, 25 games behind the Guardians.
SportsTips’ MLB Pick:
Detroit Tigers (-110)
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*Odds correct at time of publication, courtesy of BetMGM.
