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

It’s an All-American League edition of our MLB picks column!

The first game we’ll look at is the series finale between the Houston Astros and the Boston Red Sox. We’ll wrap things up by previewing the late-night series opener between the Kansas City Royals and the Oakland A’s.

Houston Astros (35-26) at Boston Red Sox (37-25), 7:10 p.m. ET

The Astros are available at a bargain price with Zack Greinke on the hill on Thursday night against the Red Sox.

Greinke has gone at least eight innings in three of his last four starts, including a complete-game victory over the Toronto Blue Jays last time out. His ERA is 2.04 in that span. Greinke has been outstanding on the road all season, recording a 1.50 ERA and .175 opponent batting average.

Countering for Boston is Eduardo Rodriguez, who owns a 7.92 ERA over his last five starts. He was knocked around by Houston on Memorial Day to the tune of six runs on seven hits and two walks in only 4 2/3 innings of work.

Bettors should expect Jose Altuve and Carlos Correa – 10-for-19 (.526) combined off Rodriguez – to have productive evenings at the plate.

MLB pick: Astros -106

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Kansas City Royals (29-31) at Oakland A’s (37-26), 9:40 p.m. ET

The Royals continue their west coast road trip on a five-game losing streak, and the A’s seem poised to add to it on Thursday night.

Kansas City starter Mike Minor’s bumpy season continued against the Minnesota Twins last Saturday, as he allowed five runs on seven hits, including three home runs. That effort brought his season ERA up to 4.84.

Minor has been hard-pressed to prevent runs against these A’s – who are averaging 6.14 runs per game over their last seven tilts – in recent outings. In 2019, he went 0-3 with a 9.64 ERA and .303 opponent batting average against Oakland. And in one start in 2020, he allowed five runs in five innings of work, resulting in another loss. Mark Canha, 6-for-15 (.400) with three home runs against Minor, has been a thorn in his side.

Meanwhile, A’s starter Frankie Montas produced a 2.89 ERA in five starts prior to a visit to Coors Field, where he escaped with a decent three runs allowed over five frames. He should pile up some zeroes against a Royals offense that’s plated just 10 runs over their last five contests. Montas owns a 1.62 ERA in three prior starts against Kansas City.

The Oakland bullpen adds to the one-sidedness of this matchup, as they sport an MLB-best 1.82 ERA over the last two weeks. K.C. ranks seventh in that span (3.14).

MLB pick: A’s -1.5 runs (+138)