Moneyline pick, best player prop for Royals vs. A’s on Thursday

The Kansas City Royals and Oakland Athletics will open up a four-game series at 9:40 p.m. ET. Mike Minor will be on the mound for the Royals, while Frankie Montas will start for the Athletics. We’ll go over some ideal picks on DraftKings Sportsbook centered around the game here.

Royals vs. Athletics, 9:40 p.m. ET

Moneyline pick: Royals +130

The Kansas City Royals are coming into tonight’s series opener as overwhelming underdogs at +130 odds to the Athletics. The Royals have lost five consecutive games and only scoring two runs per game. The last time Kansas City won a road game was on May 30 against the Minnesota Twins. Coincidentally, the Royals took two out of three games from Minnesota.

The Royals are facing an Athletics team that is hot at the moment, winning 4 out of their last 5 games. However, Kansas City could be in a prime position to shutdown the Athletics, who will be starting Montas. The right-handed pitcher has given up 11 HRs this season, which is the same amount as Minor.

But the 28-year-old Montas has struggled at home this season with a 5.31 ERA in eight starts and allowed opponents to hit .285. Meanwhile, Minor has been a better pitcher on the road this season with a 2-0 record and 3.12 ERA. The 33-year-old allowed 3 HRs in his last start vs. the Twins, but in the entire month of May only gave up 2 HRs in six outings. Kansas City’s offense will need to show up tonight and I think they can to steal some momentum from one of the best teams in the AL.

Player Prop: Mike Minor over 6.5 strikeouts (-106)

If the Royals want to snap their five-game losing streak, it will fall on the shoulders of Mike Minor. Minor got roughed up in his last start against the Minnesota Twins, where he allowed 3 HRs in 7.0 IP. However, the veteran starting pitcher has gone over 6.5 strikeouts in 6 out of 12 starts this season, including 4 out of his last 5. Furthermore in his five road starts, the 33-year-old has gone over his strikeout prop three times. He’ll be facing an Athletics’ offense that is averaging 8.76 strikeouts per game this season and 9.67 strikeouts in three last three contests.

If you or someone you know has a gambling problem, crisis counseling and referral services can be accessed by calling 1-800-GAMBLER (1-800-426-2537) (IL). Gambling problem? Call 1-800-GAMBLER (NJ/WV/PA/MI), 1-800-9-WITH-IT (IN), 1-800-522-4700 (NH/CO), 1-800-BETS OFF (IA), 1-888-532-3500 (VA) or call/text TN REDLINE 1-800-889-9789 (TN).21+ (18+ NH). CO/IL/IN/IA/NH/NJ/PA/TN/VA/WV/MI only. Eligibility restrictions apply. See draftkings.com/sportsbook for full terms and conditions.