The Kansas City Royals are trying to avoid losing their fourth consecutive game as they play host to the Houston Astros at Ewing M. Kauffman Stadium. Fox Sports Kansas City will televise this AL showdown and the game gets underway at 8:15 p.m. ET.
Houston Astros vs. Kansas City Royals Odds
Vegas is listing Houston (-220) as the favorite over Kansas City (+200). Gamblers can wager on the game’s total with odds sitting at -115 for over nine runs and -105 for under nine. You can also wager on the game’s spread with the runline odds sitting at Astros -1.5 runs (-150) and Royals +1.5 runs (+130).
The Astros are 45-25 SU and are 38-31 against the spread (ATS). They’ve accumulated 3.4 units for moneyline gamblers and 5.6 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 22-46 SU and 32-36 ATS. They’ve lost 16.9 units for bettors taking the moneyline and 11.4 units ATS. Kansas City has a 3-4 ATS record over its last seven games and the total has gone under in six of those seven.
Royals games have a 25-39-4 over/under record so far in 2018. Houston has an over/under record of 30-35-4.
The right-handed Charlie Morton is the projected starter for the visiting Astros. Morton is 7-1 with a 2.82 ERA and 96 strikeouts. He has yet to face the Royals this year and did not record a start against them in 2017, either.
The Royals are turning to righty Jakob Junis (5-6, 4.05 ERA), who has 76 strikeouts and 19 walks to his name as well as a WHIP of 1.19. Junis only made one start against the Astros in 2017 (0-0, 9.82 ERA across three and 2-third innings).
Kansas City’s pitching staff has given up 5.5 runs per game overall in 2018 as a unit. Its starters have a 5.06 ERA, 1.43 WHIP and 7.4 strikeouts per nine innings. The bullpen has a 5.63 ERA, 1.49 WHIP and 7.1 K/9.
The Kansas City offense is putting up 3.7 runs per outing, including 1.8 per game over its last 10 games and 1.4 per game over its last five. The team’s hit .165/.213/.280 over its last five contests and is 1-4 SU during that span.
Second baseman Whit Merrifield and left fielder Jon Jay have led the way for the Royals’ hitters this year. Merrifield is slashing .294/.369/.424 with four home runs, 22 RBIs, 31 runs and 14 steals, and Jay is hitting .307 with 73 hits, 18 RBIs and 28 runs.
For the visitors, Houston’s pitching staff allowed 3.1 runs per game and its starters own a 2.96 ERA, 1.04 WHIP and 10.13 K/9. The bullpen has a solid ERA of just 2.91, along with a WHIP of 1.04 and a K/9 of 10.59.
Astros hitters have slashed .264/.337/.434 on their way to 5.1 runs scored per game this season, including 6.1 runs per game over the team’s last 10 games and 7.6 per game over the team’s last five contests (5-0 SU).
Second baseman Jose Altuve and outfielder George Springer have led Houston’s hitters. Altuve is hitting .338/.388/.465 with five home runs, 35 RBIs, 43 runs and 10 steals. Springer is slashing .293/.367/.507 with 14 homers, 41 RBIs and 52 runs scored.
The Astros have gained 4.3 units and are 25-18 ATS when facing a righty starter this season. The over has hit in 18 of those games, compared to 22 that’ve gone under in such games. On the other hand, the Royals have lost 18.4 units and are 18-28 ATS when facing a righty starter. The over has hit in 17 of those games, compared to 25 that went under the total.
Houston Astros at Kansas City Royals MLB Tip
Predictions: SU Winner – Astros, ATS Winner – Astros, O/U – OVER
Betting Notes,
- Houston has logged 26 extra-base hits over its last five outings. Kansas City has 11 XBH over its last five.
- The Astros have hit 16 home runs in their last 10 games, including 10 over their last five.
- Houston has averaged 27.3 runs + hits + errors over its last 10 contests and 31.6 over its last five.
- The Royals have dropped nine of their last 10 games SU.
