The Houston Astros (13-12) and Kansas City Royals (13-14) meet Saturday as they play the second game of a 3-game series at Kauffman Stadium. Saturday’s opening pitch is slated for 7:10 p.m. ET (FS1). Let’s analyze BetMGM Sportsbook’s MLB odds around the Astros vs. Royals odds and make our expert MLB picks and predictions for the best bets.
Season series: Royals lead 1-0
Houston toted a 3-game win streak into this series but faltered in the series opener, losing 2-0 Friday. The Astros were held to just 3 hits.
The Royals, who had lost 6 straight games from April 14-19, have won 5 in a row. Over those last 5 contests, Kansas City has registered a team ERA of 2.25.
Astros at Royals projected starters
LHP Framber Valdez vs. RHP Michael Wacha
Valdez (1-2, 4.50 ERA) is lined up for his sixth start. He has a 1.36 WHIP, 3.5 BB/9 and 8.4 K/9 through 28 IP.
- Last outing: No-decision, 6 IP, 2 ER, 7 H, 3 BB, 2 K in 3-2 loss vs. San Diego Padres Sunday
- Career vs. Royals: 2-2, 4.00 ERA (36 IP, 16 ER), 31 H, 12 BB, 33 K
- Per ESPN, has held current Kansas City batters to an aggregate .517 OPS
- Has been hurt by a .321 batting average on balls in play
Wacha (0-3, 4.15 ERA) is making his sixth start. He owns a 1.31 WHIP, 3.5 BB/9 and 6.9 K/9 through 26 IP.
- Last outing: No-decision, 5 1/3 IP, 2 ER, 7 H, 0 BB, 5 K in 4-3 win at Detroit Tigers Sunday
- Career vs. Astros: 0-0, 3.65 ERA (12 1/3 IP, 5 ER), 11 H, 2 BB, 14 K
- Over his career, has been at his best early in the season. He has held opposing bats to a .701 OPS in March/April games.
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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 11:10 a.m. ET.
- Moneyline: Astros -140 (bet $140 to win $100) | Royals +120 (bet $100 to win $120)
- Run line (RL)/Against the spread (ATS): Astros -1.5 (+125) | Royals +1.5 (-155)
- Over/Under (O/U): 7.5 (O: -120 | U: +100)
Astros at Royals picks and predictions
Prediction
Astros 4, Royals 3
Houston is 4-1 across the last 5 games against KC.
Look for the betting public to misfire just a bit on assessing the starting pitchers in this one. Expected-ERA measures are bullish on Valdez and bearish on Wacha. Add in current Astros bats owning a small-sample 1.361 OPS against Wacha and Houston having the better and more fully available bullpen.
The Astros have not lost 2 in a row since April 1-2.
BET HOUSTON (-140).
No interest. PASS.
The last 4 series meetings have produced a 3-1 edge for the Under.
Team batting and pitching Indicators for this game swing both ways. Let’s break the tie with a pitcher’s breeze — blowing in from right-center — in the forecast. The lean is slight; have the percentage of bankroll reflect that in a play on the UNDER 7.5 (+100).
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