Kansas City Royals vs. Houston Astros Picks & Parlays
Friday features the first of a three-game American League series as the Kansas City Royals (51-102) square off with the defending World Series champion Houston Astros (85-68).
The Royals have been in the midst of a decent stretch of baseball as they have won seven of their last ten MLB games. On the road this season, though, they are a miserable 20-55.
After taking two of three from the Houston Astros last weekend, Kansas City just swept the Cleveland Guardians to start this week. In Wednesday’s finale, they won 6-2.
As far as recent Houston Astros games, they have struggled a bit lately, going just 4-6 in their last 10 MLB games. At home this season, they have been especially mediocre as they sit at 39-39 at Minute Maid Park.
In three straight series, they have dropped the first two games of the series only to salvage the last games. Those three series were against the Athletics, Royals, and Orioles. Heading into this matchup, let’s take a look at our Royals vs Astros picks & parlays.
Kansas City Royals vs. Houston Astros Odds
Before determining our Royals vs Astros picks & parlays, it is important to analyze the MLB odds.
- Moneyline: Houston is the heavy favorite in this one playing at home. They are -209 to win, while the Royals are +179 on the moneyline.
- Spread: In terms of the spread, the Royals are +1.5, with odds of -120. The Astros are -1.5, with odds of +100.
- Over/Under: The over/under for total runs sits at eight. The over has odds of -115, while the under eight runs has odds of -105.
Kansas City Royals vs. Houston Astros Picks & Parlays
The Royals have struggled on the road, but the Astros have been shaky at best when playing at home.
Kansas City Royals vs. Houston Astros Pick:
- Take the Royals at +1.5 on the spread (-120) against the Houston Astros.
Kansas City Royals vs. Houston Astros Parlay:
- Royals +1.5 (-120)
- Under eight runs (-105)
Royals vs. Astros Information
Kansas City Royals vs Houston Astros
Location of the game: Minute Maid Park, Houston, TX.
Date & Time: Friday, September 22. 8:10 pm ET.
How to watch: MLB.tv
Kansas City Royals vs. Houston Astros Betting Analysis
Before making any Kansas City Royals picks, it is important to take a look at their starter. For Friday’s opener, they will turn to 25-year-old lefty Cole Ragans. In 27 games, his MLB player stats show that he is 6-4 with a 3.33 ERA and 1.14 WHIP, and he has 100 strikeouts in 83.2 innings of work.
Ragans was beat up a bit in his last game, which was also against the Astros. In six innings, he gave up five earned runs on six hits.
Looking at the MLB teams stats, the Royals rank 26th in scoring, averaging 4.15 runs per game. They have been even worse on the road, averaging just 3.52 runs away from home.
The biggest offensive contributor for Kansas City has been Bobby Witt Jr. In 607 at bats, he is hitting .278/.320/.494 with a team-leading 29 home runs, 91 runs batted in, 90 runs scored, and 48 stolen bases.
Astros’ Friday Opener
As for the Astros, they will turn to 29-year-old southpaw Framber Valdez in Friday’s opener. In 29 games, he is 12-10 with a 3.20 ERA and 1.09 WHIP, and he has 183 strikeouts in 188.2 innings.
Valdez picked up the win in the finale versus the Royals last weekend. In the victory, he went seven scoreless innings. In his last three starts combined, he has now given up four earned runs in 21 innings.
Offensively, the Astros rank fifth in the majors in scoring, averaging 5.16 runs per game (4.53 at home).
Houston is led by Kyle Tucker (28 HR, 108 RBI, 90 R, 28 SB) and Yordan Alvarez (28 HR, 93 RBI, 70 R).
Key Injuries
The Houston Astros injury report shows they are without pitchers Lance McCullers Jr. (forearm) and Ryne Stanek (ankle). Outfielder Michael Brantley has also been unavailable in the last few games as he deals with shoulder discomfort.
Kansas City Royals vs. Houston Astros Betting Picks
While Houston is clearly the better team on paper, they just haven’t been playing like it lately. Not only have they struggled overall in their last few series, but they have been mediocre at home all season long.
Behind ace Framber Valdez, their fortunes might turn around on Friday, but until it does, there is value in taking the Royals at +1.5 on the spread in this one.
Especially with Valdez on the mound and an underrated Cole Ragans, don’t be surprised if the total runs stays low.
- For those reasons, as far as our Royals vs Astros picks & parlays, take the Royals and the +1.5 runs (-120) and the under eight runs (-105) to hit.
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