Royals vs. Twins Betting, Free Pick, DFS Plays – April 16

Gambling911.com has your Royals vs. Twins betting, free pick and DFS plays for Thursday’s first game of the day.

Best Bets: UNDER 8

Best DFS Picks: Eric Hosmer, Alcides Escobar

PITCHING MATCHUP: Royals LH Jason Vargas (1-0, 3.00 ERA) vs. Twins LH Tommy Milone (1-0, 0.00)

Kansas City -130 to -140 depending on the book, Minnesota +110 to +121, Total 8

Milone is one of the hottest pitchers today going up against one of the hottest teams in the MLB right now.  He has only permitted 22 hits off of 99 at bats against the Royals expected lineup, third best of any starting pitcher today.

That said, upon being dealt to Minnesota late last season, he permitted half of those 22 hits in 6 2/3 innings against the Royals.  Still, he was scoreless a few days ago in his first start of the season, making it through 7 2/3 innings against the Angels.

Vargas was 3-0 in four outings against the Twins last season, working seven frames in each and surrendering a combined three runs on 20 hits.

KC has held its opponents to 3 or fewer runs in six of eight games while Minnesota has scored 4 or more in only two of eight games.  The Twins have allowed 5 or more runs in five of those games.  We think things will be different this time around with Vargas and Milone starting.  Thus, Gambling911.com likes the UNDER 8.

Eric Hosmer (Kansas City) – (April 16) - Eric Hosmer is playing on one of the hottest teams in Baseball right now and he’s already demonstrated how well he can hit against Minnesota.  He was 2-for-4 with two RBI and two runs scored against the Twins on Monday.  For this Thursday game, Hosmer will face an opposing pitcher in Tommy Milone for whom he has hit 4 of 11, 1 of which was a home run.  He’s priced right at $3500.

Alcides Escobar (Kansas City) – (April 16) – He has hit safely in all eight games this season and is 4 of 17 against Milone with three RBIs. 

- Dan Shapiro, Gambling911.com