7:10 pm
July 30

Royals @ Tigers

Who will WIN this matchup?

Kansas City Royals (2-4)

@ Detroit Tigers (4-2)

 

Starting Pitchers:

Singer (KC): 0-0; 3.60 ERA

Nova (DET) 0-0; 5.40 ERA

 

Current odds:

Kansas City Royals: (-137)

Detroit Tigers: (+127)

 

• The Detroit Tigers coughed up a four-run lead in dropping the series opener to Kansas City, but they have responded with a pair of come-from-behind wins of their own. After erasing a four-run deficit in Wednesday’s 5-4 victory, the Tigers have a chance for their first three-game winning streak since May 2019 in Thursday’s finale of a four-game set versus the visiting Royals. JaCoby Jones is making a case to move up in the batting order after the No. 9 batter collected a pair of doubles before belting a tiebreaking homer — his third of the season — to boost his batting average to .421. Detroit’s bullpen has been instrumental in the last two victories, working six scoreless innings Tuesday before stringing together four perfect frames on Wednesday.

• Third baseman Maikel Franco is 6-for-12 with six RBIs in the series after recording three hits and driving in two runs to stake Kansas City to a 4-0 lead Wednesday. Whit Merrifield, who batted .388 versus the Tigers last year, had two more hits Wednesday and is 6-for-13 with two homers, six RBIs and six runs scored in the series.

• Singer was impressive in his major league debut, although he did not factor in the decision after striking out seven while limiting Cleveland to two runs over five innings. A first-round draft pick (No. 18 overall) in 2018, the soon-to-be 24-year-old is being counted upon with three starters currently sidelined. Singer was 12-5 combined at Double-A and Class A in 2019.

• Nova permitted only three hits over five innings in his season debut at Cincinnati, but two of them left the park in his no-decision. The long ball has been an ongoing issue for the 33-year-old Dominican, who surrendered 85 home runs over his last three seasons. Nova made four starts against the Tigers as a member of the White Sox last season, posting a 2-0 mark and 3.33 ERA.

• Tigers RHP Joe Jiménez is 4-for-4 in save opportunities.

• Royals C Salvador Perez is 1-for-12 in the series after going hitless in four at-bats for the second straight night.

• Tigers 2B Jonathan Schoop went deep for the second straight day, giving Detroit at least one homer in all six games.

4/10
Confidence
StreakSmarter Pick
Detroit Tigers
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