MLB Odds, Picks & Predictions: Thursday (6/20)

Let's dive into our top MLB picks. There is a good slate of games to choose from, so let's look at our top MLB picks for Thursday, June 20.

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Thursday's Best MLB Picks

(Odds courtesy of DraftKings Sportsbook)

Los Angeles Dodgers (-225) at Colorado Rockies (+185) | O/U 12 (-108/-112)

On Tuesday, a questionable half swing by Teoscar Hernandez extended the game for the Dodgers, and on the very next pitch, he hit a three-run home run to help Los Angeles win. Wednesday, the Rockies would have the late-game heroics when Brenton Doyle hit his second sacrifice fly in the ninth to have the chance to split this series. The Rockies will take any small victory as they sit in last in the National League West and have the second-worst winning percentage in the National League. Who knows how long this rebuilding process will last because, according to MLB.com, they have the 21st-best farm system in the league. June has not been kind to Ty Beach, who has a 5.74 ERA, and opponents have a .993 OPS this month in three starts.

The Dodgers are embracing the Mile High effect by scoring 26 runs in the first three games. They have been doing fine offensively since losing Mookie Betts; Shohei Ohtani moved into the leadoff spot and is 8-for-15 with a home run and six RBI in this series. They haven't found someone to replace him at shortstop. We're seeing Miguel Rojas and Enrique Hernandez split time in the position. Gavin Stone is currently on a stellar run, with Los Angeles winning his last four starts and having a 1.82 ERA.

One of those was against the Rockies, where he went five scoreless innings. The Rockies should tap him for some runs in this game, but the Dodgers should continue their offensive onslaught to come away with a series win.

Pick: Dodgers -1.5 (-155)

Kansas City Royals (-155) at Oakland Athletics (+130) | O/U 8 (-105/-115)

The Athletics have moved down into the cellar of the American League West as they had a nine-game losing streak coming into this series. They haven't looked like that in this series, coming away with two wins and they are now on the verge of the sweep. The offense has seen a jolt they haven't experienced much recently. They scored five or more runs in the last three games, doing that just six times in their last 24 games. The pitching hasn't been much better, with a 4.75 ERA in their last 16 games. Rookie Mitch Spence hasn't helped that recently with a 4.82 ERA in his last three starts.

The question we have to ask is if the Royal were over-exceeding expectations early in the season. They started excellent after having losing seasons since that World Series run in 2015, and it looked like they were ready to compete. They have struggled recently and are 7-15 in their last 22 games, but thankfully, they are still in the American League Central conversation by being six games back. Seth Lugo has felt the effect of this skid, as he was in the Cy Young conversation, but has been roughed up recently with a 5.21 ERA in his last three starts.

Lugo was phenomenal against Oakland in his last outing, going 5.2 innings and allowing two earned runs while striking out 10. This will help him and the Royals get back on the winning side.

Pick: Royals Moneyline (-155)

Make sure to check out our other best bets for Thursday: