The second Thursday of the 2026 MLB season brings us one day game and two night contests.
Today's best MLB predictions focus on the AL Central clash between the Minnesota Twins (1-4) and Kansas City Royals (3-2) at 2:10 p.m. ET, followed by the New York Mets (3-3) vs. the San Francisco Giants (2-4) at 9:45 p.m. ET.
Which games could present avenues for predictions on PrizePicks and PrizePicks Team Picks? Below, we’ll highlight two games for MLB predictions and expert picks, including two MLB game picks and one player projection to target.
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Best MLB Predictions, Expert Picks Today: Thursday, April 2
While most teams are getting ready for weekend series, we'll focus on Twins vs. Royals and Mets vs. Giants.
Keep tabs on the Playbook’s MLB coverage for predictions on baseball all season leading up to the World Series. Here are our favorite MLB predictions and expert picks for Thursday, April 2, on PrizePicks Team Picks.
Payouts are live as of writing and are subject to change.
Minnesota Twins vs. Kansas City Royals Prediction on Over/Under – 4/2/26
Game Over/Under Pick: Over 9.5 Runs – No (1.78x payout) | Yes (2.04x)
Time: 2:10 p.m. ET
- The Twins and Royals enter Thursday’s contest 24th and 22nd in runs scored, respectively, and that’s after combining for 22 runs on Wednesday.
- The Royals had scored 9 total runs over the first four games before scoring 13 against the Twins on Wednesday.
- As for the Twins, their 9 runs scored on Wednesday were also a season-high after totaling 12 in the first four games.
- The five-game sample mirrors last season, when the Twins and Royals both finished in the bottom nine in runs per game.
- It should come as no surprise that the Royals have played only one game to the over (Wednesday), and the Twins have played just two.
- The Royals entered Wednesday ranked last in MLB in BABIP at .220 and are now 13th at .280. They're 22nd in hard-hit rate at 29.0%, according to FanGraphs. Minnesota is 28th in BABIP at .268 and 17th in wOBA at .308.
- Twins SP Taj Bradley allowed 1 run in 4.1 IP in his first start vs. the Orioles and has owned the Royals in his career, allowing 2 runs and 8 hits over 18.1 innings.
New York Mets vs. San Francisco Giants Prediction to Win – 4/2/26
Game Winner Payouts: New York Mets 1.78x | San Francisco Giants 2.04x
Time: 9:45 p.m. ET
- After getting swept by the New York Yankees and scoring only 1 total run, the Giants took the first two games from the division-rival Padres before falling back into the loss column and scoring once on Wednesday.
- The 14 runs for the Giants through six games (2.3 on average) ranks last in the majors. San Francisco is second-to-last in wRC (15) and wOBA (.254).
- Giants SP Robbie Ray, coming off a season in which he issued a career-high 73 walks, didn't cede a free pass in his start vs. the Yankees last Friday.
- The Mets send SP David Peterson to the mound after he blanked the Pittsburgh Pirates last Friday for 5.1 innings in a no-decision. He’s faced the Giants five times, striking out 25 batters to 10 walks.
- New York took two of three from the Pirates to open the season, then lost two of three to the St. Louis Cardinals, scoring a total of 5 runs in the series.
- Since allowing 7 runs in the opener to the Pirates, the Mets haven't given up more than 4 runs in any game. Their xERA of 3.17 is sixth in the majors.
- Through six games, RF Juan Soto is the Mets team leader with a .346 BA, 9 hits, 14 total bases, and 5 RBIs.
Mets vs. Giants Pick: Mets P David Peterson – 5 Strikeouts
- Peterson has averaged 5 strikeouts a game vs. the Giants in five starts against them.
- He’s had at least 4 strikeouts in four of the five starts, owning a high of 8 in 2023.
- The former Boston Red Sox draft pick had 5+ strikeouts in 16 of 30 starts last season and finished with a career-high 150 on the year.
- Through six games, the Giants have the 11th-highest strikeout rate at 25.9%.
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Make Your MLB Predictions on PrizePicks
There are only three MLB games on Thursday, yet still plenty of intrigue. The Royals' bats came alive for the first time this season on Wednesday. Can they sweep the Twins in the day game?
Over in the NL, the Giants rebounded from getting swept by the Yankees to take two from the Padres. Can they keep the momentum, now facing the other New York team?
You can make your picks on PrizePicks and PrizePicks Team Picks to earn real money. Just pick MLB players, predict More or Less on their projected stats, and cash in if you’re correct. With Team Picks, make predictions on winners, spreads, and over/unders, now available in 35 states.
Stick around with the Playbook for continued MLB predictions, picks, and news throughout the 2026 season.
