The Kansas City Royals can move closer to dethroning four-time AL Central Division champion Detroit and claiming their first division title since 1985 when they face the Tigers Thursday in the final game of a three-game series. The Tigers have been scratching for runs plating two or fewer in six of the first eight games of the season series.
ODDS ANALYSIS
Any thoughts of a prolonged slump were put to rest with Kansas City’s series opening 5-1 win on Tuesday. The Royals came to Detroit having lost four of five but are on the verge of putting the Tigers out of their misery. KC moved closer to its first division title since 1985 and dropped Detroit 12.5 games off the pace. It looks like the AL Central is going to have a team other than the Tigers as champion for the first time in four seasons. The Royals moved 21 games over .500 with Tuesday’s win and overtook St. Louis as the most profitable team in the majors, up 20.35 units on the year. Kansas City won three straight in the season series with all three coming in Motown and moved to 5-3 against the Tigers this season. The Royals won just six games against the Tigers in last years’ season series.
PITCHING MATCHUP
Yordano Ventura (6-7, 4.98 ERA) is coming off a rough outing Saturday at Toronto when he allowed five runs on six hits in seven innings. The righty held on long enough to witness the Royals rally for a thrilling 7-6 win. Ventura was sent down to Triple-A last month to work out the kinks after his ERA ballooned to 5.19, but an injury to Jason Vargas forced his recall.
In his only start against Detroit this season, Ventura surrendered four runs and eight hits over six innings taking a no-decision on May 8.
The home run bug bit Anibal Sanchez (10-9, 4.77 ERA) again Saturday in Baltimore, this time for a pair of long balls in a six-run, 6.2-inning performance. He’s now lost back-to-back starts since winning seven decisions over an eight-start span. Sanchez has yielded 11 home runs over his last eight starts and his 24 homers allowed are second among AL starters to only Phil Hughes. The righty’s 4.77 ERA is his highest since 2008.
Sanchez owns a career 1.98 ERA against the Royals but was touched for five earned in six innings of a loss in his last outing against them on May 9.
QUOTE TO NOTE
“This does not mean we have given up on this season. We were sellers at the deadline, but we still have a good enough nucleus to win this season. The pedal is still to the metal.” – New Tigers’ general manager Al Avila, who took over for Dave Dombrowski on Tuesday
LIVE BETTING or SITUATIONAL BETTING
The Royals bolstered their chances of returning to the World Series by acquiring Johnny Cueto and Ben Zobrist before the trade deadline. The Tigers seemingly waved the white flag by dealing David Price, Joakim Soria and Yoenis Cespedes with an eye on the future. Zobrist made an immediate impact in his first series with the Royals, hitting three home runs – including a two-run shot in Sunday’s loss – while driving in six runs in a four-game set at Toronto. “Solid pick up for us,” manager Ned Yost said. “Just gives you a solid, professional at-bat.” Zobrist had just six home runs and 33 RBIs in 235 at-bats over 67 games with Oakland prior to the trade.
PROP TALK
It doesn’t matter how hard a pitcher throws, if he can’t locate the ball major league hitters will barrel up. That’s kind of where Yordano Ventura is right now. The kid throws upwards of 100 MPH but professional hitters like Ian Kinsler have been able to catch up with the heat and have success against the second-year flame thrower. Kinsler chewed up the Orioles last weekend going 12 for 17 in four games and is a successful hitter against the Royals with a .315 career average in 292 at-bats. Six of those at-bats were against Ventura resulting in four hits for an impressive .667 average.
ANALYSIS AND PREDICTION
Seeing what the Tigers did before the deadline it’s hard to believe they haven’t given up. They moved several key players while still in the hunt for a wild card in the crowded AL race, seemingly waving the while flag. The pitching hasn’t been good and dealing the ace of the rotation and the closer isn’t going to turn a weakness into a strength. The Tigers are looking to the future while trying to hold onto the present and it just doesn’t work.
Kansas City 7, Detroit 5
The MLB odds for this game will be available first at BookMaker Sportsbook. Since this game can be seen by anyone with a TV, BookMaker will have a multitude of wagering options available for it. Outside of the normal lines, you can gamble on real-time moneylines, player props and inning totals. Live betting is open during every commercial break!
Load your betting bankroll from your smartphone with BookMaker’s new cashier feature! Depositing and withdrawing funds from your account has never been easier. BookMaker's live betting platform means you always have access to odds and lines to every sporting event. Click here and start wagering today! First pitch for the game between the Kansas City Royals and Detroit Tigers is scheduled for Thursday, August 6, 2015, at 1:08 p.m. ET at Comerica Park. You can watch the contest live on the MLB Network.
