Houston Astros vs
Kansas City RoyalsPredictions & Preview

Astros Favored Over Royals in Saturday Matchup at Kauffman Stadium

On Saturday, the Houston Astros will face off against the Kansas City Royals at Kauffman Stadium in Kansas City, Missouri. The Astros are currently favored with a -138 moneyline, and the total runs are set at 8.0. Framber Valdez will be starting for the Astros, while Michael Wacha will be starting for the Royals. This preview provides insights into the matchup and offers predictions for the game. The first pitch is set for 7:10 PM ET.

Betting Odds

• Moneyline: Astros -137 | Royals +124
• Spread: Astros -1.5 (+118) | Royals +1.5 (-142)
• Total: Over/Under 8 (-110)
• Based on the moneyline, the implied probability that Houston will win straight-up is 58%.

Houston vs Kansas City Stats

Houston Astros

The Houston Astros recently completed a successful homestand, finishing with a 5-1 record. They secured victories against both the San Diego Padres and the Toronto Blue Jays, with their pitching staff particularly excelling against the Blue Jays, only allowing nine hits across three games. While the team's pitching has been strong, their lineup has room for improvement as they currently rank low in several offensive categories. Framber Valdez is set to start the next game against the Kansas City Royals, with a mixed track record this season. Overall, the Astros have a strong defense but will need to improve their offense to continue their success. Their current power ranking is 9, with a ranking of 23 in offense, 4 in defense, and a record of 13-11 this season.

Kansas City Royals Analysis

The Kansas City Royals recently completed a three-game home series sweep against the Colorado Rockies, extending their winning streak to four games. Despite this success, the Royals are struggling offensively this season, ranking near the bottom of the league in runs scored, slugging percentage, and OPS. On the pitching side, the team has performed better with a 3.52 ERA, 1.26 WHIP, and .233 batting average against. Michael Wacha is set to start on Saturday with a 0-3 record and 4.15 ERA in five starts this season. The Royals currently have a power ranking of 26 and are ranked 30th in offense, scoring an average of 2.96 runs per game. They have a strong defense, ranking 8th in the league. In their last three matchups, the Houston Astros went 0-3 against the Royals.

Astros Have Edge Over Royals in Pitching Matchup: Stats Show Dominance Against Wacha and Valdez

The Houston Astros have demonstrated significant success against Michael Wacha, with a 10-for-24 record that includes three doubles and three home runs. Specifically, Christian Walker and Yordan Alvarez have excelled, showcasing their abilities with impressive statistics against Wacha. Conversely, the Kansas City Royals have struggled against Framber Valdez, with a 14-for-86 record that includes only three doubles, a triple, and two home runs. Notably, Bobby Witt Jr. has particularly struggled against Valdez. The Royals have a poor track record against left-handed pitchers in recent games, with a .575 OPS and 63 wRC+. Given the Astros' strong performance against right-handed pitchers in the last 10 days, boasting a .706 OPS and 105 wRC+, it is anticipated that the Astros' offense will have a significant impact on the outcome of the game.

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