The Los Angeles Angels (66-73) and the Kansas City Royals (70-69) wrap up a 3-game series Thursday. First pitch from Kauffman Stadium is scheduled for 7:40 p.m. ET (MLB.TV Free Game of the Day). Let’s analyze BetMGM Sportsbook’s MLB odds around the Angels vs. Royals odds and make our expert MLB picks and predictions for the best bets.

Season series: Angels lead 2-0

After winning Tuesday’s opener 5-1, the Angels prevailed 4-3 Wednesday, cashing as +144 underdogs in both victories — the Under (9) hit in both games, too. Los Angeles had just a 12.2% win probability, per ESPN Analytics, trailing 2-0 in the bottom of the fifth inning Tuesday. But RF Jo Adell (2-for-4, 4 RBIs, 1 run) hit a 3-run homer in the sixth and drove in the go-ahead run on an RBI single in the eighth. The Angels are 6½ games back of the Seattle Mariners for the final AL Wild Card spot.

The Royals’ top 5 hitters went a combined 1-for-16 in each of the first 2 games of this series. Kansas City is 2½ games out of the final AL Wild Card.

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Angels at Royals projected starters

RHP Kyle Hendricks vs. LHP Noah Cameron

Hendricks (6-9, 4.89 ERA) makes his 27th start. He has a 1.31 WHIP, 2.4 BB/9 and 5.9 K/9 through 136 1/3 innings.

Last start: No-decision, 6 IP, 1 ER, 7 H, 0 BB, 2 K in 4-1 victory at Houston Astros Saturday2025 road stats: 2-4, 5.05 ERA (62 1/3 IP, 35 ER), 1.24 WHIP, 6.6 K/9 in 12 starts2024 vs. Royals: 1 road start with Chicago Cubs (July 26), loss, 5 IP, 6 ER, 8 H, 0 BB, 4 K in 6-0 defeatCareer vs. Royals: 2-1, 3.33 ERA (24 1/3 IP, 9 ER), 1.03 WHIP, 22 H, 3 BB, 19 K in 4 starts

Cameron (7-6, 2.92 ERA) makes his 20th start. The rookie has a 1.09 WHIP, 2.6 BB/9 and 6.9 K/9 through 108 innings.

Had his Saturday start skipped (vs. Detroit Tigers) due to fatigueLast start: Loss, 5 IP, 6 ER, 8 H, 0 BB, 0 K in 7-0 defeat at Chicago White Sox Aug. 252025 home stats: 4-3, 2.89 ERA (56 IP, 18 ER), 1.07 WHIP, 8.0 K/9 in 10 startsHas never faced Angels

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Angels at Royals odds

Provided by BetMGM Sportsbook; access USA TODAY Sports Scores and Sports Betting Odds hub for a full list. Lines last updated at 3:37 p.m. ET.

Moneyline (ML): Angels +130 (bet $100 to win $130) | Royals -155 (bet $155 to win $100)Run line (RL)/Against the spread (ATS): Angels +1.5 (-155) | Royals -1.5 (+130)Over/Under (O/U): 9 (O: -120 | U: +100)Angels at Royals picks and predictionsPrediction

Royals 4, Angels 3

KANSAS CITY (-155) has not been swept in a series since losing 3 straight to the Tampa Bay Rays June 24-26. The Royals are 6-3 in Cameron’s last 9 starts, and the rookie should benefit from having his last start skipped after allowing 6 runs at the White Sox Aug. 25.

The Angels have not won 3 straight games since sweeping the LA Dodgers from Aug. 11-13. They are 2-4 in Hendricks’ last 6 starts, with the veteran right-hander allowing 3 or more runs 4 times in that span.

BET ROYALS (-155).

Los Angeles +1.5 (-155) is too expensive in this spot, while Kansas City -1.5 (+130) is too risky for a team that has lost 3 consecutive games straight up.

PASS on the run line.

The Under is 5-1 in Cameron’s last 6 starts, and he should bounce back after having his worst start of the season — according to his Game Score of 27 — Aug. 25 at the White Sox.

Hendricks posted a 5.46 ERA in 6 starts in August, which is concerning, but the Royals offense has also struggled recently, scoring 3 or fewer runs in 5 straight games.

BET UNDER 9 (+100).

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