Two of the least productive offenses in MLB are set to square off at Ewing M. Kauffman Stadium on Monday as the Kansas City Royals (14-34) host the Detroit Tigers (20-24) to open a three-game series. The Tigers are in the midst of a six-game road trip.
They won only one out of three in their last series against the Nationals, dropping the finale 6-4 on Sunday at Nationals Park. Nick Maton was 2 for 4 with a solo home run.
The Royals are playing the first of six games at home after concluding a rough nine-game road trip (2-7). They were just swept in three games against the White Sox, dropping the finale 5-2 on Sunday at Guaranteed Rate Field.
Michael Massey went 1 for 4 with a home run and two RBIs. The teams are meeting for the first time this season. The Tigers won the 2022 season series between the AL Central rivals (10-9), including a sweep in their most recent three-game set at Comerica Park in September.
ON THE MOUND
Michael Lorenzen (2-2, 4.18 ERA) is in line to start for Detroit. The right-hander threw six scoreless innings in his last start, a 4-0 road win over the Pirates on Tuesday. He was credited with the win, scattering five hits while striking out seven and walking two.
For Kansas City, right-hander Brady Singer (3-4, 7.71 ERA) gets the start. Singer made three appearances against the Tigers in 2022, all starts, striking out 21 and walking nine over 17.2 innings (2-0, 1.53).
In his last start on Tuesday, Singer got the win on the road against the Padres. He threw six innings and gave up four runs (2 ER) on seven hits, striking out three and walking two in the 5-4 victory.
AT THE PLATE
The Detroit offense is averaging 3.6 runs per game for the season, second lowest in MLB, with a slash line of .228/.293/.353. Riley Greene leads the team in OPS at .762.
The center fielder is slashing .289/.341/.422 with four home runs, 16 RBIs, and 22 runs over 43 games. Against righties like Singer this season, the Tigers have a .638 OPS, lowest in the league.
Greene also is the team’s most potent producer against right-handers with a .823 OPS in 124 at-bats. Kansas City is slashing .230/.293/.383 for the season and averaging 3.9 runs per game, fifth lowest in MLB. Salvador Perez leads the team with ann .869 OPS.
The catcher has 10 home runs, 26 RBIs, and 23 runs scored with a slash line of .288/.330/.540. Kansas City is averaging only 2.4 runs per game in the last five with their slash line slipping across the board (.184/.232/.285).
The Royals have a .649 OPS against right-handers in 2023, second lowest in the league. With a .884 OPS over 128 at-bats, Perez also has been their best hitter against right-handers.
HOME AND AWAY
Detroit is 10-14 on the road in 2023, scoring 3.4 runs per game while allowing 4.8 runs. Kansas City has gone 6-17 in front of their home fans this season, averaging 4.3 runs per game while surrendering 5.9.
The teams have split their last 10 meetings at Ewing M. Kauffman Stadium, though Detroit has the scoring advantage with an average final margin of 3.8-3.6.
STANDINGS UPDATE
The Tigers are second in the AL Central, three games behind the division-leading Twins. The Royals are fifth in the AL Central, 11 games behind the Twins.
SportsTips’ MLB Pick:
Detroit Tigers (-105)
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*Odds correct at time of publication, courtesy of BetMGM.
