The San Francisco Giants (74-79) and the Kansas City Royals (82-71) open a 3-Game interleague series Friday. First pitch from Kauffman Stadium is set for 8:10 p.m. ET. Let’s analyze BetMGM Sportsbook’s MLB odds around the Giants vs. Royals odds and make our expert MLB picks and predictions for the best bets.

Season series: First meeting; Royals won 2-1 in 2023

The Giants picked up 2 wins in a 3-Game interleague set in Baltimore Tuesday through Thursday, and they improved to 4-2 in the past 6 road Games. San Francisco is 6-4 across the past 10 interleague Games, too. The Over has cashed in 3 in a row, while going high in 5 straight on the road.

The Royals head into this 2014 World Series rematch on a 4-game losing streak, including a 3-game sweep at home this week by the Detroit Tigers. Opposite of the Giants, the Under is 4-1 in the past 5 games, and 13-4-1 across the previous 18 contests since Aug. 30.

Giants at Royals projected starters

RHP Mason Black vs. RHP Michael Wacha

Black (0-4, 7.07 ERA) makes his 7th career start and 8th appearance. He has a 1.64 WHIP, 2.9 BB/9 and 7.7 K/9 in 28 IP.

  • Last start: Loss, 4 IP, 2 ER, 6 H (1 HR), 1 BB, 2 K in 8-0 home setback vs. San Diego Padres Saturday
  • 2024/career road splits: 0-2, 10.03 ERA, 11 2/3 IP, 13 ER, 3 HR, 1.41 WHIP, .303 opponents’ batting average (OBA), 6 BB, 12 K in 2 start (3 appearances)
  • Has never faced Royals

Wacha (13-7, 3.29 ERA) makes his 28th start. He has a 1.19 WHIP, 2.5 BB/9 and 8.0 K/9 in 156 IP.

  • Last start: Win, 5 IP, 1 ER, 4 H, 3 BB, 8 K in 5-1 road victory vs. Pittsburgh Pirates Saturday
  • 2024 home splits: 7-2, 2.87 ERA, 75 1/3 IP, 24 ER, 7 HR, 1.15 WHIP, .249 OBA, 18 BB, 63 K in 13 starts
  • Last 7 games: 5-1, 2.57 ERA, 42 IP, 12 ER, 37 H, 8 BB, 45 K, 1.07 WHIP
  • Career vs. Giants: 3-0, 1.80 ERA, 50 IP, 10 ER, 4 HR, 15 BB, 38 K, 1.12 WHIP, 6.8 K/9 in 9 starts

Who’s going yard? Here’s a breakdown of today’s best home run props with our top picks. Include the BetMGM bonus code SBWIRE to score a $1,500 first-bet offer.

Giants at Royals odds

Provided by BetMGM Sportsbook; access USA TODAY Sports Scores and Sports Betting Odds hub for a full list of MLB odds. Lines last updated at 6:16 a.m. ET.

  • Moneyline (ML): Giants +140 (bet $100 to win $140) | Royals -165 (bet $165 to win $100)
  • Run line (RL)/Against the spread (ATS): Giants +1.5 (-145) | Royals -1.5 (+120)
  • Over/Under (O/U): 8.5 (O: -105 | U: -115)

Giants at Royals picks and predictions

Prediction

Royals 6, Giants 2

Moneyline

The ROYALS (-165) are a strong play at home in this interleague series opener. Wacha has been a major reason why this team is in the hunt for a postseason spot.

On the flip side, the Giants (+140) can’t be trusted with the rookie Black on the bump, as he has been extremely erratic, especially on the road so far.

Run line/Against the spread

The ROYALS -1.5 (-120) are a strong play if you’re a little more on the adventurous side.

Yes, Kansas City enters on a 4-game losing streak, but the team’s last win came with Wacha on the mound. The Royals dumped the Pirates 5-1 behind the right-hander, and they’re 5-2 across his past 7 starts with all 5 victories coming by 2 or more runs.

Over/Under

UNDER 8.5 (-115) is the lean, but go with a half-unit play at most.

The total has gone low at a 4-1 clip in the past 5 games for the Royals, while going 13-4-1 in the past 18 outings. At home, the Under is 7-1-1 in the past 9 for the Royals, too.

As far as the Giants are concerned, the Over cashed in all 3 games in Baltimore, and the Over is 5-0 in the past 5 on the road, so be careful.

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.

Fantasy baseball help from BaseballHQ.com:
Subscribe now to dominate the competition.