The Royals (37-38) are rolling into San Diego after pulling off a three-game road sweep of the Rangers. The Padres (40-34) snapped a three-game slide with Thursday’s victory over the Dodgers before making the short trip home.
Below, we'll break down the top Royals vs. Padres picks and predictions for Friday, June 20, in the first game of this interleague series at 9:40 p.m. ET on Apple TV+, including picks for your PrizePicks MLB Lineups. and a pitcher strikeout projection to target today.
Be sure to head to the PrizePicks MLB board to lock in your MLB predictions, and submit your lineup to get in on the real money MLB action before the first pitch tonight. Find more MLB picks for Friday here in today's MLB Cheat Sheet.
Royals vs. Padres Picks – Friday, June 20
Here are the top Royals vs. Padres picks and predictions for your PrizePicks MLB Lineups tonight, Friday, June 20. Click to read more about each pick.
- Royals SS Bobby Witt, Jr. – 1.5 Hits+Runs+RBIs
- Padres RF Fernando Tatis, Jr. – 1.5 Total Bases
- Padres P Nick Pivetta – 5.5 Strikeouts
Royals SS Bobby Witt, Jr. – 1.5 Hits+Runs+RBIs
- Royals SS Bobby Witt, Jr. has caught fire of late, picking up seven hits in the last four games.
- Witt snapped out of an 0-for-15 slump with three multi-hit performances in the past four contests.
- Witt has produced at least one hit in 16 consecutive road games. In eight of the past nine away games, he has eclipsed ththis hits+runs+RBIs projection.
- In seven of the previous nine road games, Witt has scored at least one run.
- Witt has struggled against Padres P Nick Pivetta, picking up two hits in nine career at-bats (.222).
- Although Witt does hit left-handed pitchers better, he still maintains a 120 wRC+ and .331 OBP vs. right-handed pitchers.
Padres RF Fernando Tatis, Jr. – 1.5 Total Bases
- Padres RF Fernando Tatis, Jr. has failed to pick up a hit in the last three games.
- Tatis compiled a pair of hits in the series opener against the Dodgers, but proceeded to go 0-for-10 in the final three games.
- In eight of the past nine home contests, Tatis has recorded one base or fewer.
- The last multi-hit home game for Tatis came against the Marlins on May 27.
- In three career at-bats against Royals P Michael Lorenzen, Tatis has hit one home run.
- Tatis has not homered in June, while racking up four doubles in 62 at-bats this month.
Padres P Nick Pivetta – 5.5 Strikeouts
- Padres P Nick Pivetta recorded nine strikeouts in his last start against the Diamondbacks — his third time posting at least nine strikeouts this season.
- In 52 at-bats, Royals’ hitters have struck out 19 times against Pivetta. Among the batters with the most strikeouts are Salvador Perez (5) and Bobby Witt, Jr. (4).
- Opposing right-handed pitchers have finished below their strikeout projection in 10 of the past 14 games against the Royals.
- Among his 88 strikeouts this season, 49 have come on four-seamers. Witt has struck out 31 times on fastballs, while 3B Maikel Garcia has struck out 28 of 40 times on fastballs.
- In eight of Pivetta’s last 12 starts, he has picked up six strikeouts or more.
- In the last 14 days, the Royals have the 28th lowest strikeout rate in MLB at 17.7%.
Make MLB Predictions on PrizePicks
The Royals look to stay hot on their road trip in San Diego on Friday, while the Padres try to build off Thursday’s victory over the Dodgers.
This game between the Royals and Padres also leaves us with some appealing player projections and picks to consider on PrizePicks. Just predict More or Less on at least two player stat projections to build your Lineup on PrizePicks.
Check out the Playbook throughout the remainder of the MLB season for more analysis for your PrizePicks and MLB DFS Lineups.
