The Houston Astros will be taking on the Kansas City Royals at Ewing M. Kauffman Stadium. Fox Sports Kansas City is in line to broadcast this AL matchup and the opening pitch is scheduled for 2:15 p.m. ET.
Houston Astros at Kansas City Royals Odds
Houston (-210) is favored over Kansas City (+190) and oddsmakers have put the Over/Under for this game at 9 runs. The odds for betting on the game’s total stand at -110 for both the over and the under. Bettors can also wager on the game’s runline with the odds standing at -145 for the Astros -1.5 runs and +125 for the Royals +1.5.
The Royals are just 22-47 straight up (SU) and 32-36 against the spread (ATS). The team’s lost 16.9 units for moneyline bettors and 11.4 units (ATS). Kansas City has a 3-4 ATS mark over its last seven games and the total has gone under in six of those seven. The Astros have gone 46-25 SU this year and are 39-31 ATS. In total, the team’s gained 4.4 units for moneyline bettors and 6.6 units ATS. Houston has covered the spread five times in its last seven games and the over has hit in five of those seven.
Kansas City games have had an over/under record of 25-39-4 so far in 2018. Houston has an over/under record of 31-35-4.
The left-handed Dallas Keuchel is getting the nod for the visiting Astros. Keuchel (3-8, 4.45 ERA) has racked up 66 strikeouts in 85 innings so far. He has yet to face the Royals this year and only made one start against them in 2017 (0-0, 1.29 ERA and four strikeouts over seven innings).
The Royals are handing the ball to lefty Danny Duffy (3-6, 5.28 ERA), who has 64 punchouts and 37 walks to his credit, as well as a 1.54 WHIP. Duffy only made one start against the Astros in 2017 (1-0, 2.57 ERA and three strikeouts across seven innings).
As a unit, Kansas City’s pitching staff has allowed 5.5 runs per game overall this year. The team’s starters have an ERA of 5.13, a WHIP of 1.43 and a strikeouts-per-nine of 7.4. The bullpen has a 5.58 ERA, 1.49 WHIP and 7.0 K/9.
Kansas City’s hitters are putting up 3.7 runs per contest, including 2.0 per game over its last 10 games and 1.6 per game over their last five. The team has slashed .155/.214/.261 over its last five matchups and is 1-4 SU during that span.
Second baseman Whit Merrifield and left fielder Jon Jay have led the Royals’ hitters this year. Merrifield is hitting .291/.367/.419 with four home runs, 22 RBIs, 31 runs and 14 steals, while Jay’s line is .307/.363/.374 with 73 hits, 18 RBIs and 28 runs scored.
In the visiting dugout, Houston’s pitching staff allowed 3.1 runs per game and its starters own a 2.98 ERA, 1.04 WHIP and 10.18 K/9. The bullpen has logged an excellent ERA of just 2.86, along with a WHIP of 1.04 and a K-per-9 of 10.66.
The Astros offense has slashed .265/.338/.437 on its way to 5.2 runs scored per game this season, including 6.5 runs per game over the team’s last 10 games and 8.2 per game over the team’s last five outings (5-0 SU).
Houston’s offense has been powered by second baseman Jose Altuve and outfielder George Springer, who collectively have swatted 19 home runs. Altuve is slashing .337/.387/.462 with five home runs, 35 RBIs, 44 runs and 10 stolen bases. Springer is hitting .287/.361/.498 with 14 homers, 41 RBIs and 52 runs scored.
The Astros have lost 0.9 units and are 13-13 ATS when facing a lefty starter this season. The over has hit in 12 of those games, compared to 13 that’ve gone under in such games. On the other hand, the Royals have netted 1.5 units and are 14-8 ATS when facing a lefty starter. The over’s cashed in eight of those games, compared to 14 that went under.
Houston Astros vs. Kansas City Royals Prediction
Predictions: SU Winner – Astros, ATS Winner – Astros, O/U – UNDER
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Notes
Betting Trends
Houston has logged 28 extra-base hits over its last five games. Kansas City has 11 XBH over its last five.
The Royals have lost 10 of their last 11 games SU.
Kansas City has recorded 13.4 Runs + Hits + Errors per game over its last 10 outings and 11.6 over its last five.
The Astros have hit 18 home runs in their last 10 games, including 12 over their last five.
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