Posted at 10:00 AM EST. Odds are subject to change.

Kansas City +250 over Detroit

6:40 PM EST. Tarik Skubal is one of the best pitchers in baseball, but today's handicap isn't about his talent. It's about the circumstances surrounding him.

With the trade deadline approaching, Skubal's name continues to dominate rumors. He has publicly acknowledged that the arbitration process damaged his relationship with Detroit's front office, even while making it clear he wants to remain with the Tigers and believes this team can still compete. That's an unusual position for any player, especially one who knows his future could be decided at any moment. It's difficult to ignore the uncertainty that comes with not knowing where you'll be living or pitching next week.

If Detroit is seriously entertaining trade offers, it also has every incentive to protect its most valuable asset. There is little to gain by pushing Skubal deep into this game if his pitch count climbs. Why risk an injury to a pitcher who could bring back a massive return before the deadline? A five-inning outing before turning it over to the bullpen would hardly be surprising. That creates an opportunity for Kansas City if it can simply keep the game close through the early innings.At +250, we don't need Kansas City to be the better team. We only need this price to account for the uncertainty surrounding Detroit's ace. Between the distraction of constant trade speculation, the possibility of a shorter-than-normal outing, and a generous underdog price, we'll take our chances with the Royals.

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