MLB picks: A's vs. White Sox, Astros vs. Royals

There are nine games on the MLB docket this Monday, but we’ll take a look at the two containing our two best bets of the evening!

Leading off is our look at the high-stakes series opener between the Oakland A’s and the Chicago White Sox. Then we’ll preview a clash between the Houston Astros and the Kansas City Royals.

Oakland A’s (68-50) at Chicago White Sox (68-50), 8:10 p.m. ET, ESPN

The A’s – who are 12-4 in their last 16 overall (and a remarkable 53-15 in their last 68 games against AL Central opponents) – should pick up an important road victory over the White Sox on Monday night.

Frankie Montas goes for Oakland, looking to post his seventh straight quality start. He’s struck out 34 batters while walking only eight in that span. Montas has done some of his best work on the road this year, limiting opponents to a .217 batting average over 59 1/3 innings.

The A’s relief corps is third in the majors over the last two weeks by ERA (1.94), so they should hold down the fort late.

Dallas Keuchel counters for Chicago, looking to improve on his 5.79 ERA from his last four starts. That’s unlikely to happen against an A’s lineup that’s 38-15 in its last 53 road games against left-handed starters. Look for Matt Chapman – batting .417 over the last week with three home runs – to drive the offense for Oakland.

MLB pick: A’s -112

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Houston Astros (70-47) at Kansas City Royals (49-67), 8:10 p.m. ET

Bettors should not be surprised if the home underdog Royals upset the Astros on Monday night.

Jake Odorizzi will toe the rubber for Houston, and his five shutout innings against the Rockies last time out should be taken with a grain of salt. Colorado is the worst team in the majors by runs per game on the road this year (3.06), and Odorizzi had an 8.82 ERA over four prior outings.

Kansas City is no offensive dynamo, but Salvador Perez has been swinging a hot bat for this club, hitting .381 with three taters over the last week.

Carlos Hernandez responds for the Royals, and he’s allowed just two earned runs over his last three starts combined (17 2/3 innings). He faced no cupcakes in that span, taking on the White Sox twice and the New York Yankees once.

Houston has the bullpen advantage, as they’re tops in the majors by ERA over the last two weeks (1.45), but K.C. should do it’s damage early in this one and never look back.  

MLB pick: Royals +135