Detroit Tigers vs. Kansas City Royals Picks and Predictions, Saturday, May 9, 2026
Use Code WWWC The Detroit Tigers (18-20) and the Kansas City Royals (17-21) will play their second of a three game set of Saturday night in this Tigers vs. Royals prediction. This article was published before Friday night's results. These teams met back in April with Detroit winning all three at home. The Tigers will start Ty Madden, with the Royals sending out Michael Wacha. First pitch is set for 7:10 EST. Keep reading to see our Tigers vs. Royals prediction, and check out all of our best Free MLB Picks.
Detroit Looks to Continue Early Streak
The Detroit Tigers took all three games from the Royals earlier this season, and look to keep that momentum going in their second series against their AL Central rival. The first two times these teams met resulted in low scoring 2-1 wins by Detroit, and they also only won by one run in the third contest, as that game concluded 10-9.
Detroit is coming off a tough home showing against the Red Sox, as they lost all three against Boston. In their finals game of that series, their offense was held scoreless in a 4-0 shutout. Dillon Dingler has been their most productive bat on offense, the 27-year old catcher leads the team with 26 RBIs and is tied for the lead with six home runs. The other two players with six home runs include outfielder Kerry Carpenter, and hard hitting first baseman Spencer Torkelson.
Ty Madden will make his first start, and just his second appearance of the season as a 26-year old right hander. He appeared in seven regular season games last year, and is trying to find a place in the rotation. He pitched five innings in the recent series against Boston, and did not allow any runs while adding seven strikeouts in a game Detroit eventually lost.
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Royals Sit in Fourth
There is a tight race in the AL Central, and the Kansas City Royals are well aware of this as they sit in fourth place in the division, but are only 2.5-games behind the division leading Cleveland Guardians. The Royals just split four games at home against those Guardians, and are enjoying an extended home stand against some division rivals.
Their last game against Cleveland resulted in an 8-5 loss, despite getting home runs from Bobby Witt Jr. and Vinnie Pasquantino. Witt is one of the best up and coming shortstops in the Majors, and just represented team USA in the WBC. Witt is batting a strong .298 at the plate to go with his four home runs and 17 RBIs while typically batting second in the lineup. Pasquantino has five home runs and 18 RBIs, but is swinging for the fences too often as he is only batting .194 on the year.
Michael Wacha will make his 8th start of the season as a 34-year old right hander. He has a 3-2 record, and the team has gone 2-3 overall in his last five starts. His ERA is 3.05 to go with his 36 strikeouts against 15 walks. In his last outing, Wacha gave up two runs over seven innings in a win over the Guardians.
Tigers vs. Royals Picks and Predictions
Moneyline pick for Tigers vs. Royals
- Royals (5 units)
Division rivals rarely dominate each other throughout the course of a season, and Kansas City will be able to enact some revenge here. Experience on the mound matters, and Wacha is a proven veteran while Detroit is sending out a young arm who is making his first start of the season. Madden will not be able to slow down this hungry Kansas City offense, and their top performers, Witt and Pasquantino are coming off a series that saw them both homer. Wacha looked strong last time out as he picked up the win against the Guardians, and will get another here.
Take Kansas City to win.
Over/Under Pick for Tigers vs. Royals
- Under (4 units)
In their first two matchups this season, these teams combined for a total of six runs over the 18 innings. Those first two outings finished 2-1, and we are likely to see another low scoring game here. Wacha will be comfortable on the mound at home here, and has a strong strikeout to walk ratio and a winning record. Madden is on the mound for Detroit, and while he is less proven, he did not give up any runs in his first visit to the mound this season. This will be a low scoring game.
Take the under.
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