The Detroit Tigers and the Kansas City Royals are gearing up for the second game of their three-game series in Kansas City on Tuesday night. The Tigers have made significant strides in the AL Wildcard race, now just a few games behind the Twins with less than two weeks remaining in the season. Meanwhile, the Royals currently occupy the second wildcard spot in the American League, holding a two-game lead over the Twins in the loss column. On Tuesday, Casey Mize (2-6, 4.47) will start for the Tigers, while the Royals will counter with Cole Ragans (11-9, 3.32). The first pitch is scheduled for 7:40 PM EST.
Tigers Look to Mize for Momentum
In the latter part of the season, the Detroit Tigers have gained momentum, positioning themselves just three games behind the Twins for the final wildcard spot. Since the All-Star Break, they have achieved a record of 29-23, transitioning from hoping for a winning record to actively competing for a playoff berth. This past weekend, the Tigers won two out of three games against the Orioles, entering this important series with a 3-2 record in their last five games. In Monday night’s opener, the Tigers made a remarkable comeback, overcoming a 4-0 deficit to win 7-6, with Colt Keith providing a crucial two-run homer in the fifth inning.
For game two of the series, the Tigers are turning to Casey Mize, a former #1 overall draft pick, to lead them on the mound. Mize’s career has been marred by injuries, and this season has been no exception. He has a record of 2-6 in 19 starts, including six quality outings. With an ERA of 4.47 and a WHIP of 1.40, he has allowed 110 hits over 94.2 innings pitched. Mize has been challenged in finishing off batters, recording only 71 strikeouts while walking 23 and surrendering 11 home runs. In his most recent appearance, he pitched 4.2 innings, giving up six hits and four runs while striking out seven in a 7-4 victory against Colorado.
Key Injuries: RP Angel De Jesus, RP Alex Faedo, SS Javier Baez, and RP Brendan White are out.
Royals Rely on Ragans’ Consistency
The Kansas City Royals are on the verge of their first playoff appearance since their World Series win in 2015. They possess a two-game advantage over the Twins for the second wildcard spot as they head into Monday’s matchup with the Tigers. Over the weekend, the Royals secured two wins in a three-game series against the Pirates in Pittsburgh, though they narrowly missed a sweep by losing the final game 4-3. In the series opener against the Tigers, the Royals squandered a 4-0 lead, ultimately falling 7-6. Bobby Witt Jr. showcased his skills with a standout performance, going 2-for-4 with a home run and five RBIs.
In game two, the Royals will lean on their all-star lefty, Cole Ragans. Ragans boasts a record of 11-9 across 30 starts this season, with 19 of those being quality starts. His impressive stats include a 3.32 ERA and a WHIP of 1.15, allowing only 139 hits in 173.1 innings. Ragans has walked 60 batters and struck out 211, while giving up 15 home runs. His last outing ended in a 4-3 loss against the Yankees in 11 innings, during which he allowed three hits and two runs over six innings, recording seven strikeouts.
Key Injuries: SP Michael Lorenzen, RP Hunter Harvey, RP Josh Taylor, and Chris Stratton are out.
Best Bets for Detroit Tigers vs. Kansas City Royals
The Tigers are riding a wave of momentum, making each victory crucial as they pursue a playoff spot. However, they will face off against a Royals team that has had the upper hand this season, winning seven of their ten encounters. Cole Ragans has a solid history against the Tigers, holding a 2-1 record with an impressive 2.89 ERA in four games. The Tigers have struggled against left-handed pitchers this season, sporting a team batting average of .233 and an on-base percentage of just .299. Conversely, Casey Mize has allowed 110 hits in just 94.2 innings, facing a Royals lineup that has performed well at home this year. Bobby Witt Jr. has been a standout player at Kauffman Stadium, hitting .379 with 13 home runs this season. Ragans is expected to provide a strong outing, maintaining better control and limiting runs compared to Mize. The Royals appear poised for victory on Tuesday night.
