Expert MLB Picks and Previews

The Toronto Blue Jays visit the Atlanta Braves on Thursday night at Truist Park, with first pitch set for 7:15 PM ET. Toronto enters at 29-33 and third in the AL East after losing the first two games of this series. The Blue Jays have now dropped four straight, and their pitching depth is being tested again. Atlanta comes in

The Kansas City Royals visit the Minnesota Twins on Thursday night at Target Field, with first pitch set for 7:40 PM ET. Kansas City enters at 24-38 and fifth in the AL Central after taking a 5-2 win over the Cincinnati Reds. The Royals have had a rough season, but that win gave them a needed boost after weeks of

The Athletics visit the Chicago Cubs on Thursday night at Wrigley Field, with first pitch set for 8:05 PM ET. The Athletics enter at 30-31 and second in the AL West after taking the first two games of this series. They have won two straight, and their road form continues to be stronger than their home results. Chicago comes in

The Pittsburgh Pirates visit the Houston Astros on Thursday night at Daikin Park, with first pitch set for 8:10 PM ET. Pittsburgh enters at 33-29 and second in the NL Central after a brutal 11-9 loss on Wednesday. The Pirates had control of that game, but the bullpen let a five-run lead disappear late. Houston comes in at 28-35 and

The Los Angeles Dodgers visit the Arizona Diamondbacks on Thursday night at Chase Field, with first pitch set for 9:40 PM ET on SN LA. Los Angeles enters at 40-22 and first in the NL West after a 7-0 win on Wednesday. The Dodgers have won two of the first three games in this series and continue to look like

The Baltimore Orioles visit the Boston Red Sox on Thursday afternoon at Fenway Park, with first pitch set for 1:35 PM ET on NESN. Baltimore enters at 29-33 and fourth in the AL East after an 8-1 loss Wednesday night. The Orioles had won three straight before that defeat, but their road form remains a concern. Boston comes in at

The San Diego Padres visit the Philadelphia Phillies on Thursday afternoon at Citizens Bank Park. San Diego enters at 32-28 and second in the NL West, but the Padres are sliding hard. They have lost four straight, eight of their last nine, and all five meetings with Philadelphia this season. Philadelphia comes in at 32-29 and second in the NL

Cubs continue search for offense against Athletics The Chicago Cubs continue to be stuck in an offensive slump that has seen the club score three or fewer runs in 10 of its past 16 games. The Cubs will attempt to break out of the pattern on Wednesday night in the middle contest of a three-game series against the Athletics in

The San Diego Padres visit the Philadelphia Phillies on Wednesday night at Citizens Bank Park, with first pitch set for 6:40 PM ET on NBC. San Diego enters at 32-27 and second in the NL West, but the Padres are sliding. They have lost three straight, seven of their last ten, and have now dropped four straight meetings with Philadelphia