Preview: Royals at Astros
Gracenote
Jun 23, 2018
Offensive production was plentiful for the Houston Astros during their recent 12-game winning streak, but runs have been a bit harder to come by since returning home. The Astros will try to avoid a third setback in their last four games Saturday when they continue a three-game set in Houston against the Kansas City Royals.
The Astros were shut out for the first time since May 11 in Friday's 1-0 loss to the Royals, dropping them to 14-5 in June after managing only two hits and going 0-for-9 with runners in scoring position. Houston averaged over seven runs while outscoring the opposition 86-44 during its winning streak, but the defending World Series champions have been held to one run or less in two of their last three contests and scored no more than five following its undefeated 10-game road trip. Kansas City got a much-needed spark in the series opener from rookie outfielder Rosell Herrera, who robbed Alex Bregman of a potential homer in the eighth inning and delivered an RBI triple in the top of the ninth to snap the Royals' nine-game losing streak. "He's athletic, he's fast. He seems to swing the bat OK from both sides. It's only been a week. There's a lot to like looking at him on a short look," manager Ned Yost told reporters.
TV: 7:15 p.m. ET, FOX
PITCHING MATCHUP: Royals RH Ian Kennedy (1-7, 5.31 ERA) vs. Astros RH Lance McCullers Jr. (8-3, 3.77)
Kennedy's winless streak reach 13 starts following Monday loss against Texas after he was tagged for five runs on four hits and three walks over six innings. Despite tying his season high with eight strikeouts in the outing, the USC product walked three for the third straight turn and fourth time in five trips to the mound. Brian McCann (8-for-24, three homers) and Jose Altuve (4-for-11, one home run) are two of the few Astros who have thrived versus Kennedy, who is 4-1 with a 1.99 ERA in five career starts against Houston.
McCullers recorded his fourth straight quality start but was denied a win for the second time in three turns Sunday at Kansas City, allowing four runs (two earned) while striking out nine across six innings. The 24-year-old has been stellar at home for the most part in 2018, going 3-1 with a 2.37 ERA in six outings. Mike Moustakas is 4-for-10 with a homer and Salvador Perez is 4-for-9 against McCullers, who has fanned 33 in 27 frames while going 1-0 with a 2.33 ERA in four career starts versus the Royals.
WALK-OFFS
1. Bregman went 0-for-4 and did not draw one of the seven walks issued by the Royals on Friday, ending his 31-game on-base steak.
2. Herrera also doubled Friday and is batting .278 in five games since being claimed off waivers from Cincinnati on June 2.
3. Houston is 7-14 in one-run games, the worst such record by a team with a winning record in the majors.
PREDICTION: Astros 5, Royals 2
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Preview: Blue Jays at Angels
Gracenote
Jun 23, 2018
The Los Angeles Angels are halfway to a four-game sweep and look to take another step when they host the Toronto Blue Jays on Saturday. The Angels recorded a 2-1 victory on Friday to hand the Blue Jays their 10th road loss in 11 such games.
Los Angeles won the first two games of the set despite watching Mike Trout go hitless (0-for-5, three walks, three strikeouts) as he is limited to designated-hitting duties because of a sprained right index finger. Albert Pujols recorded an RBI double and scored the other Angels' run on Friday and is 8-for-24 with two homers and five RBIs during his six-game hitting streak. Toronto's Kendrys Morales is swinging a hot bat as he is 4-for-7 in the series, with Friday's two-hit effort being his ninth in his last 14 contests. The slumping Justin Smoak struck out three times in four hitless at-bats for the Blue Jays on Friday and is a frigid 5-for-44 over his last 13 games and homerless in his last 15.
TV: 9:07 p.m. ET, Sportsnet (Toronto), FS West (Los Angeles)
PITCHING MATCHUP: Blue Jays RH Marcus Stroman (0-5, 7.71 ERA) vs. Angels RH Jaime Barria (5-3, 3.57)
Stroman will be activated prior to the game to make his first start since May 8. The 27-year-old has been sidelined for over six weeks due to an injured throwing shoulder but struggled prior to the injury by giving up five or more runs in four of his seven starts. Stroman is 1-1 with a 5.31 ERA in four career appearances (three starts) versus the Angels and has struggled to retire Trout and Pujols, who both are 5-for-10 against him.
Barria has lost back-to-back starts after winning five of his first six decisions. The 21-year-old was torched for six runs and six hits over four innings by Arizona in his last turn as he served up two home runs for the second straight outing. Barria is 2-2 with a 3.96 ERA in five home starts.
WALK-OFFS
1. Blue Jays RHP Roberto Osuna was suspended 75 games without pay through Aug. 4 - receiving credit for time served - for his violation of Major League Baseball's Joint Domestic Violence, Sexual Assault and Child Abuse policy.
2. The Angels recalled Deck McGuire, who was acquired from Texas earlier this week, from Triple-A Salt Lake and optioned fellow RHP Eduardo Paredes to the same affiliate.
3. Toronto activated LF Steve Pearce (oblique) and placed RHP Danny Barnes (knee) on the 10-day disabled list.
PREDICTION: Blue Jays 5, Angels 4
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