MLB picks: Royals vs. Angels, Cubs vs. Padres

There are only three games for MLB bettors to choose from on Monday night, but that doesn’t mean that there’s a shortage of solid wagering opportunities!

We’ll start our picks column with a look at the matchup between the Kansas City Royals and the Los Angeles Angels. Then we’ll preview the late-night tilt between the Chicago Cubs and the San Diego Padres.

Kansas City Royals (29-28) at Los Angeles Angels (27-32), 9:38 p.m. ET

The debut of Royals No. 4 overall prospect Jackson Kowar should be a winning one against the Angels on Monday night.

Kowar towered over his competition in Triple-A this season, going 5-0 with a 0.85 ERA and 41 strikeouts compared to only 10 walks in 31 2/3 innings. Bettors should expect him to silence the L.A. bats early before giving way to the K.C. bullpen, which is a solid fifth by ERA (2.25) over the last two weeks.

Meanwhile, Angels starter Dylan Bundy’s season has gone from bad to worse over his last four outings, as he’s authored a 12.33 ERA in that span (15 1/3 innings). Behind him is an L.A. bullpen that’s 19th by ERA (4.74) over the last 14 days.

The Royals’ recent 6-3 run has seen their offense play inspired baseball, posting 6.78 runs per game. Andrew Benintendi and Whit Merrifield have combined to bat .352 in this span, so look for them to get to the Angels’ pitching staff in this spot.

MLB pick: Royals +133

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Chicago Cubs (33-26) at San Diego Padres (36-25), 10:10 p.m. ET, ESPN

Runs could be hard to come by at Petco Park on Monday night as the Cubs visit the Padres.

Adbert Alzolay held San Diego to one run over five innings at Wrigley Field on Wednesday night. It was just part of an alarming trend for the Friars, who have plated only 18 runs during a recent 2-6 skid (2.25 runs per game). But that’s not to diminish Alzolay’s accomplishment, as he has a 1.53 ERA over his last three outings.

Assisting Alzolay is a Chicago bullpen that’s tops in the majors by ERA over the last two weeks (1.46).

Ryan Weathers counters for the Padres, and while he was roughed up a bit by the Cubs at Wrigley last Tuesday (four runs allowed in five innings), he still sports a 2.06 ERA on the year. Weathers should pitch effectively to a Chicago offense that’s 20th in the majors in runs per game on the road (4.00).

The San Diego bullpen has been solid all year, and the last two weeks have been no exception based on their seventh-best 2.48 ERA.

MLB pick: Under