Kansas City Royals
The Royals are in the midst of another pedestrian campaign, going just 51-89 to sit 4th in the AL Central. They’re a relatively poor 29-43 at home this year, managing to go .500 over their last 10 overall. Jorge Soler is their main man offensively, putting up 40 home runs and 101 RBI so far. Glenn Sparkman will pitch here, going a poor 3-10 with a 5.86 ERA.
Detroit Tigers
The Tigers have had an even worse campaign, going just 40-97 to sit last in their division. They’ve gone just 22-48 on the road this season and won just 1 of their last 10 matches overall. Miguel Cabrera is one of their few offensive weapons, leading the squad with 53 RBI on the season. Matt Boyd will pitch in this one, going 7-10 with a 4.58 ERA.
Prediction: Royals $2
In a matchup between two awful sides, I’ll take the slightly better one at home at decent $2 odds. The Royals have the significantly better offence of the two sides and should be able to get after Boyd here. Sparkman hasn’t been fantastic although he is usually better at home and comes up against a weak offence in this one. Combine that with Detroit’s dreadful form and road record and I quite like KC as underdogs.
Tampa Bay Rays
The Rays have been impressive this year, going 83-59 to sit 2nd in the division. They’re a decent 39-32 in home games, winning 6 of their last 10 games overall. Right Fielder Austin Meadows has produced offensively, leading the way with 26 home runs and 73 RBI. Austin Pruitt will pitch here, going 2-0 with a 4.78 ERA through 37 innings.
Toronto Blue Jays
Baseball hasn’t been kind to Toronto this year, a 55-85 record sitting them 4th in the AL East. They’ve been a pedestrian 28-43 on the road, managing wins in just 3 of their last 10 games. Center Fielder Grichuk has stepped up offensively, leading the squad with 24 home runs and 62 RBI. Trent Thornton is slated to pitch here, going 4-9 with a 5.34 ERA through 129 innings.
Prediction: Rays $1.50
In one of the bigger mismatches of the day, I really like another home win for Tampa. Thornton has been especially poor on the road this season and I see him struggling against an improving Tampa offence. The Jays have been dreadful on the road so far and their struggling offence should get little relief against Pruitt. Tampa hasn’t been the best home side this season, but with all their matchup advantages I just can’t see them losing here.