Kansas City Royals vs Detroit Tigers Prediction, Preview and Odds - 08/22/2025

Game Time: 7:10 pm ET, Friday, August 22, 2025

Venue:  Comerica Park, Detroit, MI 

Where to Watch:  Apple TV+

DraftKings:  Moneyline odds:  Royals +134, Tigers -164; Over/Under:  8.5 runs

Bet365:  Moneyline odds:  Royals +135, Tigers -165; Over/Under:  8.5 runs

BetMGM:  Moneyline odds:  Royals +135, Tigers -165; Over/Under:  8.5 runs

Kansas City Royals:  65-62 (2nd place, AL Central)

Detroit Tigers:  76-53 (1st place, AL Central)

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Kansas City Royals:  7-3 last 10

Detroit Tigers:  8-2 last 10

The Royals completed the sweep in their 3-game series against the Chicago White Sox 3-0. They enter this game with a 65-62 record overall and have a road record of 30-32. This is the series opener of a 3-game series with the Tigers on Friday with the series finale of their series against the Texas Rangers still to be played on Thursday. The Royals won the series opener of that series on Monday, won the 2nd game on Tuesday, and lost the 3rd game on Wednesday. Their offense ranks 23rd in the MLB with a .698 OPS. Michael Lorenzen is their starting pitcher on Thursday while rookie pitcher Ryan Bergert is making his start in this game on Friday. He is 1-1 with a 2.75 ERA this season. His team lost 2 of their last 3 games this season with him making an appearance. In his last MLB regular season start, he allowed 1 ER, 1 HR, and 2 BB with 7 SO on 6 hits through 5.1 IP against the Chicago White Sox.

The Tigers are entering this series off a win and completed the sweep in their 3-game series against the Houston Astros 3-0. They enter this game with a 76-53 record overall and have a home record of 42-24. This is the 1st game of a 3-game series with the Royals on Friday and they have Thursday off as a day of rest. Their offense ranks 9th in the MLB with a .739 OPS. Charlie Morton was their starting pitcher on Wednesday while Casey Mize is making his start in this game on Friday. He is 12-4 with a 3.63 ERA this season. His team won their last 4 straight games this season with him making an appearance. In his last MLB regular season start, he allowed 4 earned runs, 0 homers, and 1 walk with 10 strikeouts on 4 hits through 6.1 innings pitched against the Minnesota Twins.

The current betting odds have the Tigers listed as a favorite in this game according to Draftkings Sportsbook. The Tigers have looked great in their games this season with their 76-53 record overall which has them right at the top of the AL Central with one of the best records in the entire MLB. They have also looked great in their own ballpark this year with their 42-24 home record. Meanwhile, the Royals have looked good in their games this season with their 66-62 record overall which has them right near the top of the AL Central and in the Wild Card race. They haven't been a great road team though with their 30-32 road record this season. Both of these teams have been really hot lately as the Royals are 7-3 in their last 10 games while the Tigers are 8-2 in their last 10. Both also have solid starters here, but the Tigers are in a better situation at home. Mize is starting for the Tigers in this one and he has looked good this season. He is 12-4 with a 3.63 ERA and the team has had a lot of success with him lately. He did give up 4 earned runs in his last start, but that hasn't been a common theme for him this year and the team has still won 4 games in a row now with him starting. The Royals are going with Bergert in this one and he has looked great this year. He is 1-1 with a 2.75 ERA and hasn't been giving up many runs at all, but he is still in his rookie season. He is coming off a good start in which he only gave up 1 earned run, but this Tigers offense has been rolling lately, putting up a ton of runs in their games now, and the Royals have still lost 2 of their last 3 games with Bergert starting. The Tigers still have the stronger offense in this one and they also have the better bullpen to help them out. The best way to place a bet here is on the Tigers to win this game. 

Royals Tigers Prediction:  Our MLB Pick for Friday, August 22, 2025 (7:10 pm ET start time) is Tigers 4 Royals 1.

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Kansas City Royals: 209-248 (-12.4 units) on the moneyline in all games. 97-132 (-6.8 units) on the moneyline in road games. 114-176 (-14 units) on the moneyline as an underdog of +100 or higher. 5-1 OVER as a road underdog of +150 to +200.

Detroit Tigers: 244-217 (+34.3 units) on the moneyline in all games. 121-71 (+17 units) on the moneyline as a favorite of -110 or higher. 89-57 (+31.1 units) on the moneyline against division opponents. 26-16 OVER as a favorite of -150 or more.

Kansas City Royals:  H. Harvey (RP) Fifteen Day IL - Abductor. S. Cruz (RP) Fifteen Day IL - Shoulder. K. Bubic (SP) Sixty Day IL - Rotator Cuff. J. Caglianone (RF) Ten Day IL - Hamstring. M. Massey (2B) Ten Day IL - Ankle. C. Ragans (SP) Sixty Day IL - Rotator Cuff. J. McArthur (RP) Sixty Day IL - Elbow. A. Marsh (SP) Sixty Day IL - Shoulder.

Detroit Tigers:  M. Vierling (CF) Ten Day IL - Oblique. P. Sewald (RP) Sixty Day IL - Shoulder. P. Meadows (CF) Ten Day IL - Quad. R. Olson (SP) Sixty Day IL - Shoulder. S. Guenther (RP) Sixty Day IL - Hip. J. Jobe (SP) Sixty Day IL - Flexor. J. Foley (RP) Sixty Day IL - Shoulder. A. Cobb (SP) Sixty Day IL - Hip. T. Madden (SP) Sixty Day IL - Shoulder. J. Urquidy (SP) Sixty Day IL - Elbow.

“Extremely encouraging. You get three runs on one swing of the bat, it’s tremendous. Vinnie has been swinging the bat exceptionally well for a long period of time now, but the power is an added bonus.” - Matt Quatraro after his team’s loss against the Rangers in their game on Wednesday.

“That’s about as impressive a collection of at-bats as you can ask for. From controlling the strike zone, drawing walks to not trying to do too much. Framber’s really good, and he’s one pitch away from getting out of any of the messes that he’s in. And yet, we still continue to pass the baton along to the next guy. Everybody had a better impact.” - A.J. Hinch after his team’s win against the Astros in their game on Wednesday.

Maikel Garcia (R) 3B

Bobby Witt Jr. (R) SS

Vinnie Pasquantino (L) 1B

Salvador Perez (R) DH

Randal Grichuk (R) RF

Jonathan India (R) 2B

Nick Loftin (R) LF

Luke Maile (R) C

Tyler Tolbert (R) CF

Jahmai Jones (R) RF

Gleyber Torres (R) 2B

Andy Ibáñez (R) 3B

Spencer Torkelson (R) 1B

Riley Greene (L) LF

Dillon Dingler (R) DH

Wenceel Pérez (S) CF

Javier Báez (R) SS

Jake Rogers (R) C

Batting Average:  Adam Frazier (.301)

Hits:  Bobby Witt (144)

Home Runs:  Vinnie Pasquantino (25)

RBI:  Vinnie Pasquantino (86)

Stolen Bases:  Bobby Witt (32)

Wins:  Kris Bubic (8)

Saves:  Carlos Estévez (32)

ERA:  Hunter Harvey (0.00)

Batting Average:  Brewer Hicklen (.667)

Hits:  Riley Greene (126)

Home Runs:  Riley Greene (29)

RBI:  Riley Greene (92)

Stolen Bases:  Zach McKinstry (19)

Wins:  Casey Mize (12)

Saves:  Will Vest (18)

ERA:  Kyle Finnegan (0.00)

Managers:

Kansas City Royals: Matt Quatraro (3rd season)

Detroit Tigers: A.J. Hinch (5th season)