The struggling Kansas City Royals will look to avoid losing their fifth consecutive game when they play host to the Houston Astros at Ewing M. Kauffman Stadium. This AL matchup will get going at 2:15 p.m. ET and fans hoping to watch it can tune in to Fox Sports Kansas City.
Houston Astros vs. Kansas City Royals Odds
Kansas City (+190) is the home-team underdog against Houston (-210) and oddsmakers have put the Over/Under for this afternoon’s game at 9 runs. The odds for wagering on the game’s total sit at -110 for both the over and the under. You can also bet on the game’s runline with the current odds standing at -145 for the Astros -1.5 runs and +125 for the Royals +1.5.
The Astros are 46-25 SU and are 39-31 against the spread (ATS). They’ve accumulated 4.4 units for moneyline gamblers and 6.6 units ATS. Houston has covered the spread five times in its last seven games and the total has gone over in five of those seven. The Royals, on the other hand, are 22-47 SU and 32-36 ATS. They’ve 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 under has cashed in six of those seven.
Royals games have an over/under record of 25-39-4 so far in 2018. The Astros have an over/under record of 31-35-4.
Left-hander Dallas Keuchel is getting the nod for Houston. 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 across seven innings).
The Royals are handing the ball to lefty Danny Duffy (3-6, 5.28 ERA), who’s got 64 strikeouts and 37 walks to his name, 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).
Kansas City’s pitching staff has given up 5.5 runs per game overall this season as a unit. Its 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 have put up 3.7 runs per outing, 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 stretch.
Second baseman Whit Merrifield and left fielder Jon Jay have led the charge for the Royals’ hitters this year. Merrifield is hitting .291/.367/.419 with four home runs, 22 RBIs, 31 runs and 14 steals, and Jay is batting .307 with 73 hits, 18 RBIs and 28 runs.
In the visiting dugout, Houston’s pitchers have allowed 3.1 runs per game and its starting pitchers own a 2.98 ERA, 1.04 WHIP and 10.18 K/9. The bullpen has an outstanding ERA of just 2.86, along with a WHIP of 1.04.
The Astros offense has slashed .265/.338/.437 on its way to 5.2 runs scored per game this year, 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 hitters have been led by second baseman Jose Altuve and right fielder George Springer, who collectively have belted 19 home runs. Altuve is hitting .337/.387/.462 with five home runs, 35 RBIs, 44 runs and 10 steals, while 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 hit in eight of those games, compared to 14 that’ve gone under.
Houston Astros at Kansas City Royals Free MLB Tip
Predictions: SU Winner – Astros, ATS Winner – Astros, O/U – OVER
Betting Notes
- The under has hit in only two of Houston’s last seven games.
- The Astros have hit 18 home runs in their last 10 games, including 12 over their last five.
- Houston has posted 29.1 Runs + Hits + Errors per game over its last 10 games and 33.4 over its last five.
- The Royals have dropped 10 of their last 11 games SU.
