The San Diego Padres (32-29) and Kansas City Royals (35-25) wrap up a 3-Game interleague series Sunday at Kauffman Stadium. First pitch is scheduled for 2:10 p.m. ET. Let’s analyze FanDuel Sportsbook’s lines around the Padres vs. Royals odds and make our expert MLB picks and predictions for the best bets.
Season series: Padres lead 2-0
The Padres outslugged the Royals 11-8 in the opener Friday as a moderate favorite (-126), while winning 7-3 in Saturday’s game as a slight underdog (+106). The Over has cashed in each of the outings, too.
San Diego has won 5 of the past 6 games, and it has posted 3 straight victories against AL teams, while the Over is 4-2 in the past 6 interleague games.
The Royals have dropped 3 in a row, and 6 of the past 7 outings. Kansas City is 3-5 in interleague play this season.
The Over has cashed in 3 in a row for the Royals, while the total has gone high at a 9-3 clip in the previous 12 outings.
Padres at Royals projected starters
RHP Michael King vs. LHP Cole Ragans
King (4-4, 4.09 ERA) makes his 12th start and 13th appearance. He has a 1.27 WHIP, 4.0 BB/9 and 10.1 K/9 in 66 IP.
- Last start: No-decision, 5 IP, 1 ER, 3 H, 1 HR, 1 BB, 7 K in 2-1 home win vs. Miami Marlins May 27
- 2024 road splits: 4-2, 3.43 ERA (39 1/3 IP, 15 ER), 1.19 WHIP, .225 opponents’ batting average (OBA), 7 HR, 13 BB, 37 K in 7 appearances (6 starts)
Ragans (4-4, 3.36 ERA) makes his 13th start. He has a 1.19 WHIP, 3.0 BB/9 and 11.2 K/9 in 67 IP.
- Last start: Loss, 5 IP, 3 R (2 ER), 8 H, 1 BB, 7 K in 4-2 road loss vs. Minnesota Twins May 28
- 2024 home splits: 3-2, 3.68 ERA (36 2/3 IP, 15 ER), 1.25 WHIP, .229 OBA, 2 HR, 14 BB, 49 K in 7 starts
Win your fantasy baseball league with BaseballHQ.com. For decades, BHQ has been helping players just like you win! BHQ offers Draft Prep and full-season subscriptions. Sign up today and start winning!
Padres at Royals odds
Provided by FanDuel Sportsbook; access USA TODAY Sports Scores and Sports Betting Odds hub for a full list. Lines last updated at 2:34 a.m. ET.
- Moneyline (ML): Padres +102 (bet $100 to win $102) | Royals -120 (bet $120 to win $100)
- Run line (RL)/Against the spread (ATS): Padres -1.5 (+158) | Royals +1.5 (-192)
- Over/Under (O/U): 8.5 (O: -120 | U: -102)
Padres at Royals picks and predictions
Prediction
Royals 4, Padres 3
Moneyline
The ROYALS (-120) are worth a look in the finale, as the home side looks to salvage something from the weekend series.
The southpaw Ragans has allowed 2 or fewer ER in 6 of his past 7 starts since April 25. He also keeps the ball in the park, going 3 straight starts, and 18 IP, without allowing a long ball.
In addition, the Padres (-102) are just 9-10 in 19 tries against left-handed starting pitchers this season.
Run line/Against the spread
The Royals +1.5 (-192) will cost you nearly 2 times your potential return, which is way too much risk for not enough reward if you require insurance.
If you like Kansas City, just play it straight up instead.
PASS.
Over/Under
UNDER 8.5 (-102) is a strong play. While King and Ragans are each just .500, as far as decisions are concerned, both players have rather solid ERAs, both overall, and in their respective splits.
It would be a change to have a well-pitched game, as the 1st 2 games in this series have seen 29 combined runs, or 14.5 average runs per contest.
Play our free daily Pick’em Challenge and win! Play now!
For more sports betting picks and tips, check out SportsbookWire.com and BetFTW.
Follow Kevin J. Erickson on Twitter/X. Follow SportsbookWire on Twitter/X and like us on Facebook.
Additional MLB coverage:
BaseballHQ Fantasy Baseball
