Houston Astros vs
Kansas City RoyalsPredictions & Preview

Astros vs Royals: Houston Favored in Pitching Matchup for Sunday Afternoon Showdown

The Houston Astros and Kansas City Royals will meet on Sunday afternoon to conclude their weekend series in Kansas City. Both teams are vying for a playoff spot in the American League. The pitching matchup will feature Astros' Hunter Brown (3-1, 1.16 ERA) facing off against Royals' Kris Kubic (2-1, 1.45 ERA). The game is set to start at 2:10 PM EST. Houston is the favored team with a -130 opening line. For more insights and betting tips on this Astros/Royals matchup, continue reading.

Betting Odds

• Moneyline: Astros -130 | Royals +118
• Spread: Astros -1.5 (+132) | Royals +1.5 (-160)
• Total: Over/Under 8 (-110)
• Based on the moneyline, the implied probability that Houston will win straight-up is 57%.

Houston vs Kansas City Stats

Houston Astros

The Houston Astros concluded their weekend series in Kansas City on Sunday afternoon after having their three-game winning streak broken by the Royals on Friday in a 2-0 loss. The Astros struggled offensively, managing just three hits and striking out nine times. Despite a strong start from Hayden Wesneski, who allowed only two runs in five innings, the lack of offensive production led to the team's defeat. As of the time this article was written, the Astros had won three of their last five games going into Saturday's matchup against the Royals. Hunter Brown, who has been performing exceptionally well this season with a 3-1 record, a 1.16 ERA, and 31 strikeouts in 31 innings pitched, was set to start the final game of the series in hopes of securing a win. The team is coping with injuries to key players Taylor Trammell, Pedro Leon, Glenn Otto, and Ray Gaither. With a power ranking of 9, the Astros are currently ranked 23rd in offense, 4th in defense, and hold a record of 13-12 for the season.

Kansas City Royals Analysis

The Kansas City Royals are striving to make the playoffs for a second consecutive season, a feat they have not achieved since their back-to-back World Series appearances in 2014-2015. The team moved to a 13-14 record after a significant 2-0 victory on Friday night, with standout performances from pitcher Seth Lugo and hitters Kyle Isbel and Hunter Renfroe. The Royals are now preparing for the series finale with left-handed pitcher Kris Bubic, who has been impressive since returning to the starting rotation after a lengthy recovery from Tommy John surgery. Bubic boasts a record of 2-1 with an ERA of 1.45 and has been a key contributor to the team's success. Despite facing key injuries to several players, the Royals have shown strength in their defensive capabilities and remain competitive in the league. In their recent matchups with Houston, the Royals have proven to be a formidable opponent, and they look to continue their success in upcoming games.

Brown Dominates on the Mound, Astros Favored in Pitching Matchup against Royals

Brown has demonstrated exceptional pitching performance this season, showcasing superior control by only walking six batters and allowing a mere 23 baserunners in 31 innings of work. In comparison, Bubic has allowed 33 baserunners in the same amount of innings. Brown's recent stellar performance against the Blue Jays, where he struck out nine batters and only gave up two hits in seven innings, highlights his dominance on the mound. The Astros have emerged victorious in his last two starts. On the other hand, Bubic has faced some challenges since the beginning of the season, with a recent no-decision against the Rockies and losses in his two prior starts. Additionally, the Astros have demonstrated stronger offensive capabilities than the Royals, having hit 19 home runs as opposed to the Royals' 12. Therefore, selecting the Astros with the money line is recommended.

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