The Houston Astros (4-9) visit the Kansas City Royals (8-4) for the finale of a 3-game series Thursday afternoon. First pitch from Kauffman Stadium is scheduled for 2:10 p.m. ET. Let’s analyze BetMGM Sportsbook’s lines around the Astros vs. Royals odds and make our expert MLB picks and predictions for the best bets.
Season series: Royals lead 2-0
The Astros fell 11-2 against the Royals Wednesday with RHP Spencer Arrighetti picking up the loss. Both Astros runs came in the 4th inning off RBI doubles from C Yainer Diaz and 1B Jose Abreu. Houston has now lost 4 of its last 6 road Games.
RHP Seth Lugo picked up the win for Kansas City. The Royals got the scoring started with a 7-run 3rd inning, and 1B Vinnie Pasquantino had 5 RBIs and 2 runs in the game with a homer. Kansas City is seeking its 6th win in a row and back-to-back series sweeps.
Astros at Royals projected starters
RHP Hunter Brown vs. RHP Brady Singer
Brown (0-1, 6.43 ERA) makes his 3rd start. He has a 2.57 WHIP, 7.71 BB/9 and 10.29 K/9 in 7 innings.
- Last start: Loss, 3 IP, 5 ER, 8 H, 4 BB, 3 K in 10-2 loss at Texas Rangers Friday
- Astros are 0-2 in his starts this season; he hasn’t pitched past the 4th inning in either outing
Singer (1-0, 0.68 ERA) makes his 3rd start. He has a 0.53 WHIP, 2.81 BB/9 and 9.45 K/9 in 13 1/3 innings.
- Last start: No-decision, 6 1/3 IP, 1 ER, 2 H, 1 BB, 4 K in 2-1 home win vs. Chicago White Sox Friday
- Royals are 2-0 in his starts this season; he hasn’t pitched past the 6th inning in either outing and has allowed 5 total hits
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Astros at Royals odds
Provided by BetMGM Sportsbook; access USA TODAY Sports Scores and Sports Betting Odds hub for a full list. Lines last updated at 10:05 a.m. ET.
- Moneyline (ML): Astros -135 (bet $135 to win $100) | Royals +115 (bet $100 to win $115)
- Run line (RL)/Against the spread (ATS): Astros -1.5 (+125) | Royals +1.5 (-150)
- Over/Under (O/U): 9 (O: -105 | U: -115)
Astros at Royals picks and predictions
Prediction
Royals 5, Astros 2
Moneyline
BET ROYALS (+115).
Kansas City is 8-2 in its last 10 games, including 6-0 in its last 6, all at home. It has scored a combined 15 runs in its 1st 2 games against the Astros. It has outscored opponents 35-10 during its 6-game win streak.
The Astros have lost 4 of their last 6, all on the road, and have been outscored 38-27 during that span.
With Singer taking the mound, expect a Royals win.
Run line/Against the spread
PASS.
The profit is better on the Royals to win outright.
Over/Under
BET UNDER 9 (-115).
With Singer on the mound, giving up just 5 combined hits in his 2 starts, expect the Astros to struggle getting runs on the board.
Even though the Royals have had hot bats recently, scoring 20 runs in their last 3 games, they have given up just 10 runs total in their last 6, and as a result, they have hit the Under in 4 of their last 5 games.
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