The Detroit Tigers host the Kansas City Royals on August 22, 2025. First pitch from Comerica Park is scheduled for 7:10 p.m. EDT; the game will be broadcast on Apple TV+.
Find my MLB betting preview and Royals vs Tigers prediction below, as well as probable pitchers, betting trends, injury reports, and more.
My Royals vs Tigers Prediction
- Royals vs Tigers pick: Royals F5 ML
My Royals vs Tigers best bet is the Royals first five innings moneyline. Make sure to find the best odds by checking our live MLB odds page.
Royals vs Tigers Odds
| Royals Odds | ||
|---|---|---|
| Spread | Total | Moneyline |
+1.5 -170 | 8.5 -110o / -110u | +125 |
| Tigers Odds | ||
|---|---|---|
| Spread | Total | Moneyline |
-1.5 +140 | 8.5 -110o / -110u | -150 |
Royals vs Tigers Projected Starting Pitchers
| RHP Ryan Bergert (KCR) | Stat | RHP Casey Mize (DET) |
|---|---|---|
| 1-1 | W-L | 12-4 |
| 0.6 | fWAR (FanGraphs) | 1.6 |
| 2.75/4.20 | ERA /xERA | 3.63/3.58 |
| 4.03/4.48 | FIP / xFIP | 3.99/3.98 |
| 1.13 | WHIP | 1.24 |
| 13.0% | K-BB% | 15.8% |
| 30.9% | GB% | 40.8 |
| 90 | Stuff+ | 96 |
| 104 | Location+ | 105 |
Doug Ziefel’s Royals vs Tigers Preview
Kansas City Royals Betting Preview: Offense Stays Hot Behind Contact Bats
The Kansas City Royals come into this series red hot as they've won eight of their last 10 ballgames. Their hot streak has been spurred by some great work at the dish, and we should see that continue tonight in Detroit.
Over the last month, the Royals rank fifth in OPS, seventh in wRC+, and hold the lowest strikeout rate against right-handed pitching. Tonight, they'll face a quality right-hander in Casey Mize.
Mize has had an excellent campaign in the middle of the Tigers' rotation as he comes into this start with a 3.63 ERA and 1.24 WHIP through 21 outings. However, Mize doesn't excel in any major areas, and his expected stats don't have him improving in the final weeks of the season.
He is no stranger to hard contact, as his barrel rate allowed sits in the 31st percentile, and his hard-hit rate is in the 44th percentile. Against a scolding hot lineup that puts the ball in play a ton, there's bound to be a few hard-hit balls from the Royals tonight.
Detroit Tigers Betting Preview: Pitching Carries the Load Amid Cold Bats
On the flip side of this matchup, the Tigers have also continued their winning ways as they have been victorious in eight of their last 10 games. However, Detroit has benefited from its excellent pitching staff as the lineup has gone pretty cold over the last two months.
Against right-handed pitching in particular, the Tigers rank 28th in strikeout rate, 17th in OPS, and 18th in wRC+ over the last 30 days. Those are not numbers that are typical of a team that has had the amount of success Detroit has this season.
Their good fortune is bound to run out, and tonight looks like one of those nights as they are set to contend with a surging Ryan Bergert on the mound. Bergert is looking like the steal of the Freddy Fermin trade, as through three starts with Kansas City, Bergert holds a 2.70 ERA and 1.02 WHIP.
However, Bergert flashed this upside during his time with the Padres this season, but command issues held him back. Although he's walked just five batters in his three starts with the Royals.
This refined command has allowed him to excel against quality lineups, and given the poor form of the Tigers order, it should be no different tonight.
Royals vs Tigers Prediction, Betting Analysis
This is a matchup of two teams trending in opposite directions, despite what the records may show. The Royals are the team that is really hot, and they have an emerging young arm on the mound.
Meanwhile, the Tigers have done enough to win lately, but have regressed quite a bit in the second half and don't deserve to be heavily favored in this matchup.
Back the Royals to be up halfway through this one.
Pick: Royals F5 ML (+125, Fanatics)
Moneyline
Take the Royals on the first five innings moneyline tonight.
Run Line (Spread)
I have no play on the run line.
Over/Under
I have no play on the total.
Royals vs Tigers Betting Trends
