Both the Royals and Tigers have gotten off to great starts in the 2019 MLB season. Detroit has gone .500 on the road and the Royals have scored a ton of runs after the first week of the year. The April 4th AL free pick brings something new to each squad though as Kansas City goes on the road for the 1st time this year and Detroit hosts their home opener with a 1:10 PM ET start time. Oddsmakers don’t know how to list this one with a KC -116, DET -105 line.
Royals Bats Firing on All Cylinders Early
Kansas City started off the 2019 campaign on the highest of notes after beating the White Sox in the first two games of the year at Kauffman Stadium. After that bright beginning however, the Royals come into the April 4th AL free pick on a three game losing streak. One bright spot for KC has been their offense, which has scored at least 4+ runs in 4 of 5 games this year. The 5.20 runs/game average is top 10 in the league after the 1st week even though Alex Gordon and Adalberto Mondesi have the only two HR of the year so far the Royals.
The Royals are just -116 ML picks Thursday on the road and in the Tigers home opener mostly because of Jakob Junis on the hill. The right-hander started 30 games a year ago and although he was just 9-12, Junis was 4-0 with a 1.95 ERA vs. Detroit in 2018. Junis has held Detroit batters to a collective .250 batting average, and John Hicks has the only HR off the KC pitcher for the Tigers.
Detroit Should Try To Find Some Offense Thursday
The Tigers were in action in each of the first 7 games and days of the season – all on the road. The year didn’t start well with the Detroit offense getting shut out in two of the first three games of the year.That being said the Tigers have bounced back in some profitable wins in 3 of the last 4 including one in Toronto as a +141 underdog and the last two victories in the Bronx vs. the Yankees at +195 and +159. Detroit is sure to see some action in the April 4th AL free pick at the very least out of bettor loyalty.
Even though the Tigers are out to a decent 4-3 start considering all seven games have been on the road, their offense raises some serious questions. Detroit has already been held to 2 runs or less in 5 of 7 games with each contest going ‘under’ so far. Spencer Turnbull gets the nod on the mound in the April 4th AL free pick. He impressed in Spring Training, but was rocked for 3 runs in the 4th Saturday to get knocked out of the game vs. Toronto. Even so, the call to start the home opener is an honor, and Turnbull needs to find his stuff in this one.
April 4th AL Free Pick Betting
Junis has dominated the Tigers over his career and you expect Turnbull to buckle down in his 2nd start, even though he may be nervous getting the ball for the Comerica home opener. The Royals offense has looked good so far, but no batters have ever faced Turnbull giving the advantage to the pitcher. Throw in a 9MPH early wind prediction blowing in as well as a 40 degree temp expected at first pitch it should be a defensive game.
AL Free Pick: Royals / Tigers *Under* 8
