With just six wins in their past 31 games, the Detroit Tigers enter the second half as a solid -110 bet to win under 58.5 games
The Kansas City Royals are pegged as a -110 wager to win under 60.5 games, but should benefit from a second-half schedule that features few matchups with powerhouse opponents
The Baltimore Orioles sit dead last in MLB with just 27 wins and sport attractive -110 odds of winning under 54.5 games
Two of the three MLB teams projected to finish the 2019 season with 100 or more losses clash this weekend, as the Kansas City Royals open a three-game series with the visiting Detroit Tigers on Friday night.
After opening their schedule on a promising 8-4 run, the Tigers quickly reverted to the form that earned them just 64 wins in each of the past two seasons, going 20-53 following their hot start, and now enter the second half of the MLB campaign pegged as a -110 bet to close out 2019 with under 58.5 wins according to the MLB team win totals odds.
2019 MLB Regular Season Win Totals
| Los Angeles Dodgers | Odds |
|---|---|
| Over 99.5 wins | -115 |
| Under 99.5 wins | -105 |
| Houston Astros | Odds |
| Over 99.5 wins | -110 |
| Under 99.5 wins | -110 |
| Minnesota Twins | Odds |
| Over 94.5 wins | -115 |
| Under 94.5 wins | -105 |
| Atlanta Braves | Odds |
| Over 90.5 wins | -115 |
| Under 90.5 wins | +105 |
| Boston Red Sox | Odds |
| Over 90.5 wins | -105 |
| Under 90.5 wins | -115 |
| Tampa Bay Rays | Odds |
| Over 89.5 wins | -120 |
| Under 89.5 wins | +100 |
| Cleveland Indians | Odds |
| Over 88.5 wins | -110 |
| Under 88.5 wins | -110 |
| Miami Marlins | Odds |
| Over 63.5 wins | +115 |
| Under 63.5 wins | -135 |
| Kansas City Royals | Odds |
| Over 60.5 wins | -110 |
| Under 60.5 wins | -110 |
| Detroit Tigers | Odds |
| Over 58.5 wins | -110 |
| Under 58.5 wins | -110 |
| Baltimore Orioles | Odds |
| Over 54.5 wins | -110 |
| Under 54.5 wins | -110 |
Tigers in Free Fall Since Early June
The Tigers have been particularly bad since the beginning of June, posting just six wins in 31 contests. Run production has emerged as a massive problem in Motown. The Tigers have been limited to three or fewer runs on 17 occasions since June 1st while averaging over six runs allowed per game during that 31-game stretch. That has contributed to Detroit’s dismal -157 run differential, leaving the club leading only the Baltimore Orioles, who sport a run differential of -165 through 89 contests.
Home cooking has provided no benefit to the Tigers, who have been abysmal at Comerica Park since going 9-7 through their first 16 home dates. The club has tumbled into a free fall since, picking up just three wins over their past 28 home dates.
And for long-suffering Tigers fans, there is likely little reason to be hopeful for a turnaround in the second half. Detroit remains without injured hurlers Matt Moore and Tyson Ross, and Jordan Zimmerman has struggled since his return, contributing to the club’s 25th-ranked team ERA. Further complicating matters are the trade rumors swirling around the club’s healthy arms, including starter Matthew Boyd, reliever Joe Jimenez, and closer Shane Greene.
However, there may be more reasons for Royals fans to be hopeful, despite the prediction of a 60-102 finish for the club by analytics website Fangraphs. Unlike the Tigers, Kansas City has not been the subject of much trade speculation, apart from Whit Merrifield, who has generated interest during a career year that has him on pace to set personal bests in almost all offensive categories, and Homer Bailey, the club’s only starter with a winning record at 7-6.
Apart with 10 dates with the AL Central-leading Minnesota Twins and a mid-September visit from the Houston Astros, the Royals largely avoid matchups with powerhouse clubs in the second half. In addition to their 10 dates with the Tigers, Kansas City can look forward to Interleague series with the New York Mets and Miami Marlins, as well as nine total games against the Toronto Blue Jays and bottom-feeding Baltimore Orioles.
Pick: Royals Over 60.5 Wins (-110)
Last-Place Orioles Face Brutal Second-Half Schedule
Sporting an MLB-worst 27-62 record coming out of the All-Star break, the Orioles are now pegged as a -110 bet to win under 54.5 games this season. The club sports just 11 wins through 42 home games, and endured a lengthy 50-day stretch without consecutive wins that started in early May.
The Orioles entered the All-Star break on a high, going 5-4 in their final nine contests and stealing series victories from the Cleveland Indians and Tampa Bay Rays, but face a tough road in the second half.
In addition to 27 total games against the AL East’s three playoff contenders, the Rays, Red Sox, and Yankees, the Orioles must look forward to seven total Interleague matchups with the Dodgers and Nationals, and seven total dates against the Astros and Rangers. And with just 24 of their final 73 contests coming against opponents currently sporting losing records, the prospects of a speedy turnaround in Baltimore look bleak.
Pick: Orioles Under 54.5 Wins (-110)