The Kansas City Royals will make a road trip to Houston to take on the Astros at Minute Maid Park. This AL matchup will begin 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
Kansas City (+255) is hosting this one as the underdog to Houston (-305) and Vegas has set the Over/Under for this night game at 8.5 runs. Odds for wagering on the game’s total sit at +100 for the over and -120 for the under. Bettors can also wager on the game’s spread with the current runline odds standing at +125 for the Royals +1.5 runs and -145 for the Astros -1.5 runs.
The Royals are only 22-52 SU and are 33-41 against the spread (ATS). They’ve lost 23.0 units for moneyline gamblers and 16.3 units ATS. Kansas City has covered the spread only once over its last seven games and the total has gone under in four of those seven. The Astros, on the other hand, are 50-26 SU and 43-33 ATS. They’ve gained 7.0 units for moneyline bettors and 8.2 units ATS. Houston has covered the spread five times in its last seven games and the over has cashed in five of those seven.
Houston games have had an over/under record of 35-37-4 thus far in 2018. The Royals have been a good under bet with a total record of 28-42-4.
The left-handed Danny Duffy will get the start for the visiting Royals. Duffy is 3-7 with a 5.55 ERA and 69 strikeouts. He’s 0-1 with five strikeouts and a 9.00 ERA against Houston this year.
The Astros are sending lefty Dallas Keuchel (4-8, 4.15 ERA) to the mound. Keuchel has 71 strikeouts and 23 walks to his name, as well as a WHIP of 1.31. Keuchel is 1-0 with five strikeouts and a 0.00 ERA in one start against Kansas City this year.
Kansas City’s pitching staff allowed 5.6 runs per game and its starters own a 5.20 ERA, 1.45 WHIP and 7.33 K/9. The bullpen has managed an ERA of 5.53, along with a WHIP of 1.45 and a K-per-9 of 7.08.
Royals hitters have slashed .241/.305/.369 on their way to 3.6 runs scored per game this season, including 2.0 runs per game over the team’s last 10 games and 2.4 per game over the team’s last five outings (0-5 SU).
Kansas City’s offensive production has been powered by second baseman Whit Merrifield and third baseman Mike Moustakas. The speedy Merrifield is slashing .287/.367/.412 with four home runs, 23 RBIs, 31 runs and 16 steals. Moustakas has a .263 average with 14 homers, 48 RBIs and 35 runs scored.
In the other dugout, Houston’s pitching staff has given up 3.1 runs per game overall in 2018. The club’s starters have a 2.91 ERA, 1.05 WHIP and 10.2 strikeouts per nine innings. The bullpen has recorded a solid ERA of just 2.72, a WHIP of 1.05 and a K/9 of 10.8.
The Houston hitters are putting up 5.2 runs per outing, including 6.9 per game over its last 10 games and 5.6 per game over their last five. The team has a slash-line of .305/.370/.485 over its last five contests and is 4-1 SU during that span.
Second baseman Jose Altuve and outfielder George Springer have led the Astros’ batters this year. Altuve is slashing .347/.401/.495 with seven home runs, 39 RBIs, 49 runs and 11 stolen bases, while Springer’s line sits at .279/.355/.486 with 15 homers, 42 RBIs and 56 runs.
The Royals have lost 0.5 units and are 14-10 ATS when facing a lefty starter this season. The over has cashed in nine of those games, compared to 15 that’ve gone under in such games. On the other hand, the Astros have lost 2.3 units and are 14-14 ATS when facing a left-handed starting pitcher. The over has hit in 13 of those games, as opposed to 14 that’ve cashed the under.
Kansas City Royals vs. Houston Astros MLB Prediction
Predictions: SU Winner – Astros, ATS Winner – Royals, O/U – OVER
Betting Trends,
- The over has hit in five of Houston’s last seven games.
- The Royals have lost 15 of their last 16 games SU while the Astros have taken 13 of their last 14.
- Houston has recorded 29.7 Runs + Hits + Errors per game over its last 10 contests and 26.0 over its last five.
- The Royals have hit five home runs in their last 10 games. The Astros have hit 19 over their last 10.
