The Kansas City Royals (29-31) and the Oakland Athletics (37-26) start a four-game series at Oakland Coliseum Thursday. First pitch is scheduled for 9:40 p.m. ET. Let’s analyze BetMGM Sportsbook‘s lines around the Royals vs. Athletics odds with MLB picks and predictions.
Kansas City followed up a five-game winning streak with a five-game losing skid entering Thursday including a three-game sweep at the Los Angeles Angels where the Royals were outscored a combined 22-5 in the series.
Oakland won both of their two-game mini interleague series with the Arizona Diamondbacks earlier this week and have won six of the last seven games and three straight series.
Season series: 0-0.
LHP Mike Minor makes his 13th start for the Royals. Minor is 4-3 with a 4.84 ERA (67 IP, 36 ER), 1.21 WHIP, 3.1 BB/9 and 9.8 K/9 this year.
- Last outing: Loss, 5-4, in 7 IP with 5 ER, 7 H, 1 BB and 5 K vs. the Minnesota Twins Saturday.
- vs. Athletics on the current roster: 100 at-bats with a .230/.292/.500 slash line, 21/10 K/BB, 8 HR and 19 RBIs.
RHP Frankie Montas is on the hill for the Athletics. Montas is 6-5 with a 4.52 ERA (63 2/3 IP, 32 ER), 1.41 WHIP, 2.5 BB/9 and 9.2 K/9 over 12 starts.
- Last outing: Win, 9-5, in 5 IP with 3 ER, 6 H, 1 BB and 2 K at the Colorado Rockies Friday.
- vs. Royals on the current roster: 44 at-bats with a .227/.261/.409 slash line, 11/0 K/BB, 2 HR and 2 RBIs.
MLB betting offers/promotions
BetMGM Sportsbook offers available in CO, IA, IN, MI, NJ, PA, TN, VA and WV. New customer offers, terms and conditions apply.
- Bet just $1 on either team’s money line, WIN $100 (in free bets) if either team hits a home run during the game. Bet now!
- RISK-FREE FIRST BET. Place your first bet, if it loses you’ll get up to $600 in free bets. Bet now!
Royals at Athletics odds, lines, picks and prediction
MLB odds courtesy of BetMGM; access USA TODAY Sports for a full list. Odds last updated at 11:43 a.m. ET.
- Money line: Royals +135 (bet $100 to win $135) | Athletics -160 (bet $160 to win $100)
- Against the spread/ATS: Royals +1.5 (-155) | Athletics -1.5 (+125)
- Over/Under: 7.5 (O: -115 | U: -105)
Prediction
Athletics 7, Royals 3
Money line (ML)
Oakland’s lineup stack ranks a lot higher in advanced hitting metrics such as wRC+ and wOBA vs. left-handed pitching than Kansas City’s against righties.
In fact, the Athletics dominate left-handed pitching; they are fifth in wRC+ and ninth in wOBA when facing lefties with a 16-8 record vs. left-handed starters.
Also, Oakland’s bullpen is a little sharper and way more rested than Kansas City’s who has six relievers that have pitched 24 or more pitches over the past three days while the Athletics have just one.
“LEAN” to the ATHLETICS (-160) for a half unit because Montas has been average-at-best this season with his hard-hit rate and exit velocity each grading in the 21st percentile or worse on the year.
FANTASY BASEBALL: Serious about winning your league? Sign up for BaseballHQ.com to dominate the competition. Subscribe now!
Run line/Against the spread (ATS)
“LEAN” to the ATHLETICS -0.5 (-110) FIRST 5 INNINGS for a half unit because Montas’ advanced pitching numbers are far better against Kansas City’s lineup than Minor’s vs. Oakland.
For instance, Montas has a 2.39 FIP, .229 opponent’s expected wOBA, .279 expected slugging percentage, 24.4% strikeout rate and 83.2 mph exit velocity vs. current Royals batters.
While Minor has a 7.82 FIP, .359 opponent’s expected wOBA, .536 expected slugging percentage, 16.2% strikeout rate and 91.5 mph exit velocity against the Athletics hitters.
I’m staying away from Oakland’s full game run line since Kansas City is 14-9 on the run line as a road dog and the Athletics are 11-15 on the run line as a home favorite this season.
Over/Under (O/U)
“LEAN” to the OVER 7.5 (-115) for a half unit because the weather forecast is predicting 14 mph winds blowing out to centerfield and these teams have a combined 13-9 O/U record when these starters are on the mound.
PLAY: Free, daily sports pick’em contests. Play now!
Bet on this game now at BetMGM Sportsbook. For more sports betting picks and tips, visit SportsbookWire.com. Please gamble responsibly.
Follow Geoff Clark on Twitter. Follow SportsbookWire on Twitter and like us on Facebook.
Gannett may earn revenue from audience referrals to betting services. Newsrooms are independent of this relationship and there is no influence on news coverage. This information is for entertainment purposes only. We make no representations or warranties as to the accuracy, completeness, or reliability of any content.
[lawrence-newsletter]
[lawrence-auto-related count=3 category=1372]