Johnny Cueto (11-13, 3.51 ERA) and the Kansas City Royals square off against Collin McHugh (20-7, 3.86 ERA) and the Houston Astros in Game 5 of the Divisional Playoffs at Ewing M. Kauffman Stadium. The Royals won the last game 9-6, and the series is currently tied 2-2. Action begins at 8:07 p.m. ET on Wednesday, Oct. 14 and can be seen on FS1.
Cueto pitched 6.0 innings in Game 2 of the Divisional Playoffs, surrendering four runs, striking out five and walking three in a 5-4 win over the Astros. Lorenzo Cain (.305, 104 Rs, 17 HRs, 74 RBIs, 28 SBs) went 1 for 5 Monday with one run and one RBI. McHugh went 6.0 innings, surrendering two runs, striking out one and walking one in a 5-2 win over the Royals in Game 1 of the Divisional Playoffs. Carlos Correa (.282, 54 Rs, 24 HRs, 72 RBIs, 14 SBs) has been successful at the plate for the Astros, going 4 for 4 Monday with two runs, two home runs, and four RBIs.
Kansas City is a -122 favorite against Houston and the Over/Under (O/U) for this game is sitting at eight runs. The Royals have recorded an overall money line of +1,904 and have shown high-level performance as a favorite this season with a record of 58-37. The Royals are one of the best in the MLB in terms of extra base hits with 493. Kansas City is one of the best in the MLB in terms of steals, swiping 108 bases.
In games where it is the underdog, Houston has a 30-31 record and an overall money line of -295. Offensively, the Astros have really picked up the pace in the last 10 games. They have exceeded their season average of 4.5 runs per game by averaging 6.4 during that stretch. The Astros can change the game with one swing of the bat, leading the league with 240 home runs. The Astros are an excellent base stealing team with 124 stolen bases, ranking third in the MLB. Shifting to the pitching staff and defense, the Astros allow just 3.8 runs per game, ranking them first in the AL. When it comes to preventing batters from getting on base, the Astros are one of the best in the league with a WHIP of 1.199 for the season.
The Astros lead the season series, 6-4. The Royals have a 64-41 record against right-handed starting pitchers on the year, which is what they’ll be facing when McHugh takes the mound. Cueto (RHP) will be on the hill against the Astros, who have a 55-47 record against right-handed starting pitchers.
Predictions: SU Winner – HOU, O/U – Over
Notes
The Royals managed to give up five walks in their last game. They’ll have to pick it up against the Astros who are coming in with a 19-10 record against opponents who give up that many walks or more.
When they are outhit, the Royals are 15-59. The Astros have a 14-54 record when opponents outhit them.
Houston tops the league in home runs with 240 this season. Kansas City ranks in the bottom half at 20th with 146.
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 ninth, 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 .755.
When the Astros allow at least one home run, they are 37-56. When the Royals allow one or more homers, they have a 43-53 record.
