Tigers vs Royals Picks and Prediction – 5/31/2025

On Friday, the Detroit Tigers (36-20) face off against the Kansas City Royals (29-27) at Kauffman Stadium in Kansas City, Missouri. Keep up to date with all the MLB action, with our expert MLB picks.

Kansas City comes into this matchup on a two-game losing streak and has dropped four of their last five games prior to their series finale against Cincinnati. In the Royals’ 7-2 defeat against Cincinnati, starting pitcher Daniel Lynch IV worked 2.2 innings, giving up three hits and just one earned run. He walked one batter and struck out four during his brief outing. On the offensive side this season, Vinnie Pasquantino has emerged as Kansas City’s top power hitter and run producer, leading the team with eight home runs and collecting a team-high 30 RBIs. Right behind him in the home run tally are Maikel Garcia and Bobby Witt Jr., who have each sent five balls out of the park so far. Garcia also stands out for his consistency at the plate, pacing the Royals with an impressive .308 batting average. While the Royals have struggled lately, their pitching staff has been a particular concern. Over their last five contests, Kansas City’s pitchers have allowed an average of 4.6 runs per game. This recent rough stretch has contributed to the team's position in the standings—they currently sit seven games behind the division-leading Detroit Tigers in the AL Central. To close that gap and compete for the division title, the Royals will need their pitching to improve. Offensively, the team is averaging just 3.3 runs per game, highlighting the need for both more run production and tighter pitching as the season progresses.

Detroit enters this game on a three-game winning streak and has won three of their last five games prior to their series finale against San Francisco. In their recent 3-1 victory over San Francisco, Wenceel Perez made an impressive season debut for the Tigers, going 1-for-3 at the plate with a home run, one run scored, and one RBI. Spencer Torkelson has been the Tigers’ biggest power hitter so far this year, currently topping the team’s home run leaderboard with 13 homers. Right behind him is Riley Greene, who has launched 12 home runs over the course of the season. Torkelson also leads the team in runs batted in, having driven in 40 runs to date. When it comes to batting average, Riley Greene is setting the pace with a .279 mark, giving Detroit some consistency at the plate. Over their last five games, the Tigers have averaged 3.4 runs per contest. Their recent performances have helped them secure first place in the AL Central division, and they currently boast the best record in the entire American League. As they prepare to travel to Kansas City, Detroit will aim to maintain their strong form. On the season overall, the Tigers are averaging 5.1 runs per game, showing that their offense has been capable of putting up significant numbers throughout the year.

This season, the Tigers have won three out of four games against the Royals, putting the Royals in a position where they need to close the gap in the division standings. Detroit will send Casey Mize to the mound, who has been impressive so far with a strong 6-1 record and a 2.45 ERA, showcasing his consistency and effectiveness. On the other side, Kansas City will start Michael Wacha, who holds a 3-4 record along with a solid 3.21 ERA, indicating he’s pitched well despite some tough luck with decisions. Final Score Prediction, Detroit Tigers win 3-2.