Kansas City Royals vs
Houston AstrosPredictions & Preview

Royals Look to Extend Dominance Over Astros in Four-Game Series Opener at Minute Maid Park

On Thursday evening, the Kansas City Royals are set to face off against the Houston Astros in the first game of their four-game series at Minute Maid Park. Neither team has announced their starters at this time. The Royals previously swept the Astros in a series earlier this season. The game is scheduled for 8:10 PM Eastern time. Brady Singer will be starting for the Royals with an ERA of 3.38, while Hunter Brown will take the mound for the Astros with an ERA of 3.72. The Astros are currently the betting favorite at -150 with no line movement as of now.

Betting Odds

• Moneyline: Royals +134 | Astros -150
• Spread: Royals +1.5 (-162) | Astros -1.5 (+144)
• Total: Over/Under 8 (-110)
• Based on the moneyline, the implied probability that Houston will win straight-up is 60%.

Kansas City vs Houston Stats

Kansas City Royals

The Kansas City Royals notched their third consecutive win by defeating the Cleveland Guardians 6-1 on Tuesday, moving them into a tie for the AL Central lead. Starter Michael Lorenzen left the game early due to an injury, but reliever Jame McArthur stepped up with an impressive performance, earning his fifth win of the season. Third baseman Paul DeJong hit his 23rd home run of the year in the victory. The Royals' offense has been strong recently, scoring four or more runs in three straight games. Manager Matt Quatraro expressed confidence in his team's competitiveness and their goal of winning the division. No significant injuries are reported that will impact Thursday's game. With a power ranking of 11, Kansas City ranks 8th in offense, 8th in defense, and has a season record of 75-59.

Houston Astros Analysis

The Houston Astros have struggled recently, losing four of their last five games, including a 5-0 loss to the Phillies. Pitcher Justin Verlander received his fourth loss of the season, with the team's offense failing to score more than three runs in three of their last four games. Second baseman Jose Altuve has been a standout player, with a .297 batting average and 18 stolen bases in 2024. Despite their recent struggles, manager Joe Espada praised Verlander's performance, noting his strong five innings. Outfielder Kyle Tucker remains sidelined with a leg injury. The Astros rank 7th in power ranking, with a #12 ranking for offense and #5 for defense, averaging 4.52 runs scored and giving up 4.02 runs per game. Houston has a 71-62 overall record and recently defeated Kansas City in their last three matchups.

Royals continue to dominate Astros with six straight wins, poised for victory in upcoming matchup

In recent match-ups, the Royals have shown dominance over the Astros by securing six consecutive wins, including three consecutive victories at Minute Maid Park. Houston's pitching staff has struggled against Kansas City, allowing six runs or more in three of their last four meetings. Additionally, the Royals have displayed strong performance on the road, winning a significant portion of their previous series, with notable sweeps against the White Sox and Reds. Their pitchers have maintained a competitive 3.31 ERA and 1.28 WHIP in their last 10 away games. Overall, Kansas City has won five out of their last seven games and has a 56.4% winning rate against the spread in 2024. On the other hand, the Astros have only managed to win one of their last three series at home, with their sole victory coming against the White Sox. Given these trends and statistics, the data suggests a favorable outcome for the Royals in the upcoming game against the Astros. It is recommended to bet on the Royals.

Sources: [ 1 ] [ 2 ] [ 3 ] [ 4 ]