There are a couple of good divisional matchups for bettors in the American League on Monday. The Detroit Tigers take on the Kansas City Royals in the American League Central, and the Texas Rangers host the Oakland A’s in an AL West matchup. This betting guide will offer some of the best value plays based on recent trends between the teams.
Detroit Tigers (+125) vs Kansas City Royals (-155)
Kansas City’s Brad Keller outdueled Michael Pineda for a 3-1 Royals win on July 1, and Keller was on the unlucky end of a 2-1 loss to the Tigers back in April despite seven solid innings pitched. Detroit starter Michael Pineda will be making just his second road start of the season, and the Tigers aren’t providing much help. Detroit has scored more than two runs just once during this four-game road trip. Lean towards the Royals (-155) to win this one.
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The total has gone under in the last four meetings between these teams in Kansas City and in five of the six meetings overall this season. Detroit is really struggling to score runs, going under in three of their last four games. The total has also gone under in three of the Royals’ last four. Both of these teams rank in the bottom five of offenses in the Major Leagues, so take the under (U9.5, -115) again here.
Oakland Athletics (+140) vs Texas Rangers (-165)
The Rangers have won five of the seven previous meetings between these teams this season. Oakland starter Adrian Martinez has gotten knocked around in his last two starts, giving up 10 earned runs and 15 hits in 9.2 innings pitched, but he picked up the win his last time out. Spencer Howard is making just his third start of the season for the Rangers, and things haven’t been pretty for him. He has an ERA of 10.97, and a WHIP (walks+hits per inning pitched) of 1.88 this season. This might be one to stay away from but lean towards Oakland here (+140).
The total has gone over in 11 of the previous 15 meetings between these teams, as well as four of the last five in Texas. With the numbers from these pitchers, it looks like a ton of runs could be scored again in this one. In Howard’s two starts this season, the teams combined for 18 runs in his first start and 19 in his second. Add in Martinez’s recent woes, and the over (O9, -120) definitely looks like the play.
Odds via BetMGM
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