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.
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