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USATSI

The Houston Astros have been stingy of late, allowing three runs or fewer in six of their last seven games -- five of which were victories. The Kansas City Royals have had difficulty putting runs on the board, scoring fewer than three on three occasions during their four-game losing streak. The Astros hope both trends continue when they visit the Royals on Monday for the opener of their four-game series. Should you expect Houston to receive another strong pitching performance, or is there value on Kansas City to break out offensively and bring a return on the money line?

The latest MLB odds for Monday from Caesars Sportsbook list the Astros as -153 favorites (risk $153 to win $100) on the money line. Other MLB lines of note include the San Diego Padres at -125 against the Colorado Rockies and the Oakland Athletics as slight money-line favorites (-111) versus the Chicago White Sox. Before making any MLB picks or predictions on those games or others, you need to see what the SportsLine Projection Model has to say.

This model, which simulates every pitch of every game 10,000 times, is 158-132 on top-rated MLB money-line picks through 20 weeks in the 2021 season, returning over $200. It also had a banner 2019 season, the league's last full schedule, returning more than $1,400 on its top-rated money-line and run-line picks. Anyone following it has seen some huge returns.

Now, the model has crunched the numbers for Monday's MLB schedule and posted its best bets. Parlaying these four MLB picks will pay 15-1. Head to SportsLine to see the picks.

Top MLB picks for Monday, Aug. 16

The model likes the Minnesota Twins at -125 on the money line against the Cleveland Indians. Minnesota more than held its own over a stretch during which it faced all three division leaders in the American League, going 7-3 while winning all three series. The Twins lost the opener of their three-game set against AL East-leading Tampa Bay before outscoring the Rays 17-4 en route to a pair of victories. Meanwhile, Cleveland has lost four of six contests overall and four of its last six meetings with the Twins.

Minnesota scored eight runs in each of its last two games against the Indians, both of which were home victories. Griffin Jax came on in relief and recorded his first major-league win in the first of those triumphs on June 25 and was moved into the Twins' starting rotation immediately thereafter. After a rocky first outing, the 26-year-old rookie right-hander has fared well, allowing three runs or fewer in four straight starts while winning each of the last two.

How to make MLB predictions, parlays for Monday

The model has locked in three other MLB best bets, including one on a surprising underdog. You can see its best bets only at SportsLine.

So which MLB picks should you make on Monday for a 15-1 return? And which home team is a must-fade? Visit SportsLine now to see Monday's MLB picks, all from the projection model that's 158-132 in 2021, and find out.