MLB: Detroit Tigers at Kansas City Royals Odds & Prediction

Game Info: Friday, August 29, 2025, 7:10 PM ET, Kauffman Stadium, Kansas City, MO

Betting Odds

Moneyline: Royals -122 | Tigers +102

Run Line: Royals -1.5 (+165) | Tigers +1.5 (-202)

Total Runs (O/U): 8.5

The oddsmakers are slightly favoring the Royals in this matchup, putting their chances of winning at roughly 55.0%.

Tigers Betting Preview

The Detroit Tigers (78-57) are leading the AL Central, but they recently got swept in a three-game series by the Athletics, including a tough 7-0 loss. Chris Paddack (5-11, 4.98 ERA) is set to pitch for the Tigers. In his previous outing against the Royals, he did a solid job, allowing only one earned run across five innings in a 4-2 win for the Tigers.

The Detroit Tigers’ offense is really shining thanks to the efforts of Riley Greene, Spencer Torkelson, and Zach McKinstry. Leading the charge is Riley Greene, who has hit 32 home runs and driven in 99 RBIs, with a batting average of .266, ranking him 55th in the MLB. His home run total ties him for 7th in the league, and his RBIs place him in 5th. Spencer Torkelson is making his presence felt too, with 28 home runs and 70 RBIs, while Zach McKinstry has added 11 home runs and 43 RBIs this season.

Royals Betting Preview

The Kansas City Royals currently hold a record of 69–65, placing them second in the AL Central, just 3 games shy of a Wild Card position. Seth Lugo (8–6, 3.99 ERA) is set to pitch for the Royals. This season, he has had a tough time against the Tigers, posting an 8.16 ERA across three starts. On the bright side, he has achieved 12 quality starts and maintains a 1.24 WHIP for the year. In his most recent outing against Detroit, Lugo gave up 6 runs in 4.1 innings.

The Royals’ offense is led by Bobby Witt Jr., who is on a 16-game hitting streak, with a batting average of .298, 19 home runs, and 74 RBIs. Maikel Garcia and Salvador Perez round out a lineup that has been hit-or-miss but still shows a lot of promise. This season, Kansas City has won 59.6% of the games they were expected to win.

Matchup/League Facts

The Tigers have an away record of 34–32, while the Royals are 36–30 at home.

Detroit is currently 10th in OPS with a .741 score, and Kansas City is 22nd with .702.

This season, the Tigers have hit 173 home runs, putting them 9th in MLB, whereas the Royals have managed 128, which places them 25th.

In their last 10 games, the Royals have won 6 and lost 4, while Detroit’s record stands at 5 wins and 5 losses.

Tigers at Royals Prediction

This game between the Tigers and Royals is tighter than the betting odds suggest. While Kansas City has the home-field edge and some recent momentum, Detroit’s batting lineup is simply stronger. If Paddack can keep the Royals in check early on, the Tigers’ hitters are likely to take control as the game progresses.

Sportbook.AG Final Prediction: Tigers 5, Royals 4 Best Bet: Tigers ML (+165) and Under 8.5 Runs