Houston Astros vs Kansas City Royals Prediction 9-23-23 MLB Picks
The Kansas City Royals and the Houston Astros meet Saturday in MLB action from Minute Maid Park. This will be the second matchup in a three-game series over the weekend. On Friday in the opener, Kansas City powered out a two-run victory to take the early lead. Check back all season long for free MLB picks at Sports Chat Place.
Kansas City Royals
The Royals did well against the Guardians this week, taking a three-game sweep. In Wednesday’s 6-2 win, KC got a three-run homer from Nelson Velazquez. On Friday versus Houston, Kansas City scored four runs in the first inning and three more in the sixth for a 7-5 win. Kyle Isbel posted two RBI, and the Royals had just five hits as a team.
In the starting pitcher role for Saturdays’ game, the Royals didn’t immediately announce a name.
Kansas City Royals Team Facts
The Royals have lost 12 of their last 13 road games against American League opponents following a road win.
The Royals have covered the run line in each of their last seven night games against American League opponents.
The 'Inning 1 OVER 0.5 runs' market has hit in each of the Royals' last four night games at Minute Maid Park.
The Royals have won the first inning in each of their last three games against American League opponents.
The Royals have led after 3 innings in each of their last five games at Minute Maid Park against American League opponents that held a winning record.
Houston Astros
Over on the Astros’ side, they lost the first two games versus the Orioles this week but stopped the sweep with a 2-1 win on Wednesday. Houston’s Jeremy Pena and Mauricio Dubon each had an RBI in that one. On Friday the Astros got a three-run homer from Chas McCormick and a solo shot from Jose Abreu (two runs) but couldn’t crawl out of the early hole.
JP France will take the start for the Astros on Saturday. This year France is 11-5 with a 3.84 ERA in 23 games (22 starts). France has 96 Ks in 131.1 innings. Over his last seven starts, France is 3-2 with a 6.69 ERA.
Houston Astros Team Facts
The Astros have lost seven of their last eight night games against American League opponents.
The Astros have failed to cover the run line eight of their last nine night games against American League opponents that held a losing record.
The Astros have trailed after 5 innings in each of their last five night games against American League opponents.
The 'Inning 1 OVER 0.5 runs' market has hit in each of the Astros' last four games.
The Astros have trailed after 3 innings in each of their last three games.
Matchup/League Facts
The Houston Astros rank 3rd in the league for strikeouts against this season (1178).
The Houston Astros rank 4th in the league for hits this season (1371).
The Kansas City Royals rank T1st in the league for triples this season (41).
The Kansas City Royals rank 29th in the league for walks this season (392).
ANDREW’S FREE PICK
I’ll probably take a stab on the Royals in this one. France hasn’t been great on the mound this month so far. He’s got one good start September 10 versus the Padres (6.0 innings; one earned in a a victory) but outside of that it’s been a struggle. In the other pair France has a combined 10 earned runs in 9.1 innings on 11 hits and seven walks. On Friday in the opener, Kansas City made the most of a fairly quiet offensive evening (outside of a few key moments). That makes six or more runs in four straight games—all wins—for the Royals. The bats are working well and I think KC has a decent chance at keeping it going.
