Tigers at Royals 7/12/19 - MLB Picks & Predictions

The Detroit Tigers open a three-game series on the road Friday against American League Central rival the Kansas City Royals. The Tigers lost last Sunday 6-3 to the Boston Red Sox in their last outing and were swept in the three-game series by Boston. Gregory Soto fell to 0-3 on the season with the loss after allowing three hits and two runs over two innings.

Kansas City lost its second straight last Sunday after falling to the Washington Nationals 5-2. Adalberto Mondesi had an RBI single in the loss, while Alex Gordon hit an RBI double. Royals’ starter Jakob Junis gave up just five hits in seven innings of work. Kansas City is 1-8 in games deciding a series. Miguel Cabrera is leading Detroit with a .304 batting average. Nicholas Castellanos leads in hits with 94, while Brandon Dixon is the team leader in home runs with 12 and Cabrera leads in RBIs with 36. Detroit is averaging .233 at the plate, while opponents are averaging .270. The Tigers have not yet announced a starting pitcher for Friday’s game with the Royals.

Whit Merrifield leads Kansas City with a .306 batting average and in hits with 117. Jorge Soler leads KC in home runs with 23 and in RBIs with 59. Kansas City is averaging .245, while opposing hitters are averaging .270. On Friday, the Royals will send Danny Duffy to the mound. The lefthander is 3-5 with an ERA of 4.28, 61 Ks and 29 BBs.