The Houston Astros will go for their fourth consecutive win as they play host to the Kansas City Royals at Minute Maid Park. The opening pitch is scheduled for 8:10 p.m. ET and Fox Sports Kansas City will be televising this AL showdown.
Kansas City Royals vs. Houston Astros Odds
Kansas City (+210) is entering this game as the underdog to Houston (-230) and Vegas has set the Over/Under for this one at 8.5 runs (-120 for the over and +100 for the under). Bettors can also wager on the game’s spread with the runline odds sitting at -105 for the Royals +1.5 runs and -115 for the Astros -1.5.
The Royals are 12-24 SU and are 18-17 against the spread (ATS). They’ve lost 7.7 units for moneyline gamblers in the season’s early going and 3.4 units ATS. Kansas City’s covered the spread four times in its last seven games and the total has gone under in four of those seven. The Astros, on the other hand, are 21-14 SU and 15-19 ATS. The team has lost 1.6 units for bettors taking the moneyline and 5.3 units ATS. Houston has covered the spread four times in its last seven games and the total has gone over in four of those seven.
Astros games have a 15-19 over/under record so far in 2019. The Royals have been a decent over bet with a total record of 20-14-1.
The left-handed Danny Duffy will get the nod for the visiting Royals. Duffy is 0-1 with a 3.27 ERA and seven strikeouts. He has yet to face Houston this year, but he made two starts against the Astros in 2018, posting a 0-1 record against them with a 4.50 ERA and 12 strikeouts.
The Astros are turning to Collin McHugh (3-3, 4.97 ERA). McHugh has 39 strikeouts and 11 walks, along with a WHIP of 1.05. McHugh did not register a start against the Royals in 2018.
As a unit, Houston’s pitchers have allowed 3.7 runs per game overall in 2019. The club’s starters have an ERA of 4.02, a WHIP of 1.06 and a strikeouts-per-nine of 9.5. The bullpen has a solid ERA of just 2.75, a WHIP of 1.01 and a K/9 of 9.2.
The Houston offense has put up 5.1 runs per outing, including 5.6 per game over its last 10 games and 6.8 per game over its last five. The team has a slash-line of .301/.359/.585 over its last five games and is 3-2 SU during that span.
The Astros’ hitters have been led by outfielders Michael Brantley and George Springer. Brantley is hitting .326/.370/.548 with seven home runs, 24 RBIs and 20 runs scored, while Springer is hitting .285 with 11 homers, 29 RBIs and 26 runs.
In the other dugout, Kansas City’s pitchers have allowed 5.0 runs per game and its starters own a 5.00 ERA, 1.40 WHIP and 7.45 K/9. The bullpen has an ERA of 5.14, along with a K/9 of 8.55.
Royals hitters have slashed .245/.320/.429 on their way to 4.7 runs scored per game this year, including 5.3 runs per game over the team’s last 10 games and 5.0 per game over the team’s last five contests (1-4 SU).
Kansas City’s offensive production has been powered by second baseman Whit Merrifield and shortstop Adalberto Mondesi. Merrifield is slashing .282/.337/.503 with five home runs, 14 RBIs, 27 runs and six steals. Mondesi is hitting .280/.314/.531 with five homers, 32 RBIs, 22 runs and 10 stolen bases.
The Royals have lost 5.7 units and are 12-13 ATS when facing a righty starter this season. The over has cashed in 15 of those games, compared to 10 that’ve gone under in such games. On the other hand, the Astros have netted 2.4 units and are 4-4 ATS when facing a lefty starter. The over has hit in two of those games, compared to six that went under the total.
Royals vs. Astros Free MLB Pick
Predictions: SU Winner – Astros, ATS Winner – Royals, O/U – OVER
Betting Notes
- Kansas City has logged 20 extra-base hits over its last five outings. Houston has 25 XBH over its last five.
- The Royals have hit nine home runs in their last 10 games, including six over their last five.
- The Royals have a total OPS of .749 this season and an OPS of .781 against right-handed pitchers. The Astros’ OPS sits at .840 overall and .826 versus righties.
- Houston has recorded 24.2 Runs + Hits + Errors per game over its last 10 outings and 28.0 over its last five.
- The Royals have dropped four of their last five games SU.
