Lance McCullers (6-7, 3.22 ERA) and the Houston Astros meet Yordano Ventura (13-9, 4.19 ERA) and the Kansas City Royals in Game 4 of the Divisional Playoffs at Minute Maid Park. The game starts at 1:07 p.m. ET on Monday, Oct. 12 and will air on FS1.
In his most recent outing, McCullers pitched 5.0 innings, giving up three runs (one unearned), striking out six and walking two in a 5-3 loss to the Diamondbacks. Colby Rasmus (.244, 70 Rs, 28 HRs, 66 RBIs, 3 SBs) went 1 for 1 yesterday. The Royals were unsuccessful against the Astros 5-2 the last time Ventura pitched. He went 2.0 innings, allowing three runs, striking out two and walking one. Kendrys Morales (.291, 83 Rs, 24 HRs, 108 RBIs) went 1 for 3 yesterday.
Houston, a -140 favorite, will look to capitalize at home against Kansas City. The Over/Under (O/U) for the matchup is set at eight runs. The Astros are 56-45 as the favorite and have an overall money line of -295. The most recent 10-game stretch for the Astros has gone great. Over that span, Houston is averaging 6.4 runs per game, well over their season average of 4.5. The Astros are a power hitting team with an MLB-best 236 home runs. The Astros are a nightmare on the bases for opponents with 124 steals, one of the highest totals in baseball. As for the pitching staff, the Astros lead the AL in home ERA with a 3.17 team average. The Astros are fifth in the league in WHIP at 1.198.
Moving on to the away team, the Royals come into this game with a win percentage of .552 when playing as the underdog (37-30) and an overall money line of +1,904. Kansas City is a terror on the base paths, ranking fifth in the MLB with 106 stolen bases. Shifting to the pitching staff, they allow just 8.5 hits per road game, good for fifth in the AL.
The Astros have mostly come out on top against the Royals in their previous nine games this season, earning a 6-3 record. The Astros will take on a right-hander (Ventura) in this game and have a 55-47 record against right-handed starting pitchers this season. Taking the hill against the Royals will be the right-hander McCullers. They sport a 64-41 record against righties.
Predictions: SU Winner – HOU, O/U – Over
Notes
The Astros managed to give up four walks in their last game. They’ll have to pick it up against the Royals who are coming in with a 33-14 record against opponents who give up that many walks or more.
When they are outhit, the Royals are 14-59. The Astros have a 14-54 record when opponents outhit them.
Ranking first in home runs, Houston has hit 236 this season. Kansas City ranks 22nd with 144 home runs.
Ranking 13th, Houston is in the top half of the league in hits, notching 8.41 per game. Kansas City ranks in the top five at second with 9.24.
Ranking 10th, Kansas City is in the top 10 of the league for its on-base plus slugging percentage (.737). Houston ranks in the top five at second with an OPS of .754.
When the Royals allow at least one home run, they are 42-53, well-matched with the Astros who are 37-55 when allowing at least one homer.
