The Kansas City Royals will be taking the field against the Houston Astros in a Wednesday night game. This AL matchup will get going at 8:10 p.m. ET and fans hoping to watch it can tune in to Fox Sports Kansas City.
Kansas City Royals vs. Houston Astros Odds
Houston (-230) is the enormous favorite against Kansas City (+210) and Vegas has put the Over/Under for this game at 9 runs. The odds for betting on the game’s total now sit at +100 for the under and -120 for the over. Bettors can also wager on the game’s runline with the most recent odds coming in at Royals +1.5 runs (-105) and Astros -1.5 runs (-115).
The Astros are 21-15 straight up (SU) and 16-19 against the spread (ATS). The team’s lost 0.6 units for bettors taking the moneyline and 4.3 units ATS. Houston has covered the spread four times in its last seven games and the total has gone over in five of those seven. The Royals have gone 13-24 SU this year and are 18-18 ATS. Overall, the team’s lost 8.7 units for moneyline bettors through the early portions of the season and 4.3 units ATS. Kansas City has covered the spread four times in its last seven games and the total has gone under in four of those seven.
Houston games have a 16-19 over/under record so far in 2019. Royals games have gone over 21 times, gone under 14 times and pushed on one occasion.
The right-handed Jorge Lopez is the projected starter for Kansas City. Lopez is 0-3 with a 5.09 ERA and 37 strikeouts. He has yet to face the Astros this year and did not record a start against them in 2018, either.
The Astros are turning to Brad Peacock (2-2, 5.28 ERA). Peacock has 26 strikeouts and nine walks, along with a WHIP of 1.21. Peacock did not re a start against the Royals in 2018.
As a unit, Houston’s pitching staff has allowed 3.9 runs per game overall this year. Its starters have an ERA of 4.31, a WHIP of 1.09 and a strikeouts-per-nine of 9.5. The bullpen has recorded a solid ERA of just 2.93, a WHIP of 1.02 and a K/9 of 8.9.
The Houston hitters are putting up 5.0 runs per contest, including 5.5 per game over its last 10 games and 6.8 per game over their last five. The team has hit .305/.370/.609 over its last five matchups and is 3-2 SU during that stretch.
The Astros’ offense has been led by outfielders Michael Brantley and George Springer. Brantley is hitting .333/.376/.558 with seven home runs, 24 RBIs and 20 runs scored, and Springer’s line is .288/.377/.583 with 11 homers, 30 RBIs and 26 runs.
In the other dugout, Kansas City’s pitchers have allowed 4.9 runs per game and its starters own a 4.93 ERA, 1.40 WHIP and 7.43 K/9. The bullpen has logged an ERA of 5.04, along with a K-per-9 of 8.60.
The Royals offense has slashed .247/.323/.439 on its way to 4.9 runs scored per game this year, including 5.6 runs per game over the team’s last 10 games and 7.2 per game over the team’s last five outings (2-3 SU).
Second baseman Whit Merrifield and shortstop Adalberto Mondesi have led Kansas City’s offense. Merrifield is hitting .299/.351/.545 with six home runs, 19 RBIs, 30 runs and seven steals, while Mondesi (.284/.317/.534) is up to five homers, 33 RBIs, 23 runs and 10 stolen bases.
The Royals have lost 6.7 units and are 12-14 ATS when facing a righty starter this season. The over has hit in 16 of those games, compared to 10 that’ve gone under in such games. On the other hand, the Astros have lost 3.0 units and are 12-15 ATS when facing a right-handed starting pitcher. The over’s hit in 14 of those games, as opposed to 13 that’ve gone under.
Royals vs. Astros MLB Prediction
Predictions: SU Winner – Astros, ATS Winner – Royals, O/U – OVER
Betting Trends
- The over has hit in three of Kansas City’s last seven games.
- The Royals have a team OPS of .761 this season and an OPS of .793 against right-handed pitchers. The Astros’ OPS sits at .837 overall and .822 versus righties.
- Houston has posted 23.7 Runs + Hits + Errors per game over its last 10 contests and 28.0 over its last five.
- The Royals have hit 12 home runs in their last 10 games, including nine over their last five.
