MLB picks: Reds vs. Royals, Red Sox vs. Angels

There’s lots of MLB action to consider this holiday Monday, but we’ve managed to narrow things down to our top two plays of the evening!

Our first stop will be Kansas City, as the Cincinnati Reds battle the Royals. Then it’s off to Los Angeles as the Boston Red Sox visit the Angels.

Cincinnati Reds (43-40) at Kansas City Royals (35-48), 8:10 p.m. ET

The Reds should secure their fifth straight win against the sliding Royals (6-22 over the last month) on Monday night.

Vladimir Gutierrez starts for Cincinnati, and save for two disastrous starts against the San Diego Padres (10.61 ERA), he’s been very effective on the mound this year (3.10 ERA vs. all other teams). He should be able to handle a flagging Kansas City offense that’s mustered just 40 runs over its last 12 games, in which they’re 2-10 straight-up.

Behind Gutierrez is an improving Reds bullpen that’s sixth by ERA over the last two weeks (2.49).

Mike Minor responds for the Royals, and he’s lost each of his last two starts, pitching to a 12.60 ERA and 2.200 WHIP along the way. The Cincinnati offense has been outstanding for most of 2021, as they’re eighth in runs per game (4.89). Joey Votto has been on a tear, batting .400 over his last seven games with three home runs.

The Reds should feast on a K.C. bullpen that’s 26th by ERA over the last two weeks (6.59).

MLB pick: Reds +105

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Boston Red Sox (53-32) at Los Angeles Angels (42-41), 9:38 p.m. ET, ESPN

Bettors should expect offensive fireworks on the fifth of July in L.A. as the red-hot Red Sox visit the ascendant Angels.

Martin Perez will toe the rubber for Boston, and while he owns a 2.10 ERA in six road starts this season, he’ll take on an L.A. offense that’s third in the majors in OPS against lefties (.768). This unit has averaged 6.43 runs per game over its last seven contests (6-1 straight-up).

Perez will have to be wary of dual All-Star Shohei Ohtani, who padded his MLB lead in homers (31) with another dinger on Sunday.

Jose Suarez counters for the Halos, and while he’s been effective in long relief this season (1.98 ERA through nine appearances), his track record as a starter is startling (2-8, 7.92 ERA). Boston is 9-1 over its last 10 games, plating 5.2 runs per contest. Look for All-Star third baseman Rafael Devers to build on his torrid start to July (1.056 OPS) for the Red Sox.

MLB pick: Over