Royals vs. Astros Friday Prediction
The Kansas City Royals have lost nine in a row and now have to face the defending champion Houston Astros on Friday night. Are the ‘Stros a solid play on the runline for bettors?
Game Snapshot & Odds
971 Kansas City Royals (+280) at 972 Houston Astros (-300); 8.5 runs
Friday, June 22, 2018
8:10 p.m. ET, Minute Maid Park
TV: KC (FSKC); HOU (ATTH)
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Public Betting Trends
Oddsmakers from online sportsbooks currently list the Astros as a -300 favorite. As of this writing, 65% of the betting tickets wagered at online sportsbooks are on the Astros to beat the Royals on the moneyline. This information is subject to change, however, so be sure to check out our MLB Public Betting Page for updated figures on this game.
Royals’ Duffy bombed for seven runs in loss to Astros
Danny Duffy coughed up seven runs (six earned) in six innings and took a loss to the Astros on Saturday. He gave up a two-run double to Jose Altuve in the first inning but settled down for awhile after that. The Astros started piling it on in the fifth and sixth innings, with the big blow being a three-run jack by catcher Max Stassi. Duffy falls to 3-7 with a 5.55 ERA and 1.55 WHIP in 15 starts. He will have to face the Astros again on Friday.
Astros’ Keuchel allows two unearned runs to beat Royals
Dallas Keuchel allowed two runs (zero earned) across six innings and was credited with a win over the Royals on Saturday. He struck out five, walked one and allowed six hits in the quality start. Both runs came in the fifth inning but thanks to an error by shortstop Carlos Correa both tallies were unearned. It’s been a bit of a down season for the former Cy Young winner but today’s effort is a nice step in the right direction. He improves to 4-8 with a 4.15 ERA in 15 starts. He gets to face the Royals again on Friday.
MLB Betting Trends
Kansas City
The Royals are 0-4 in their last four games versus the Astros but are somehow 5-1 in their last six games played at Minute Maid Park.
Houston
The Astros have won 40 of their last 58 games at home and 40 of their last 59 games overall.
Prediction:
There’s really no other play here but the Astros on the runline. The Royals have lost nine in a row, Duffy hasn’t pitched well and while Keuchel hasn’t been great on a whole this year, he just carved up this Royals team in his last start. The Astros are 37-17 in Keuchel’s last 54 home start, while the Royals have dropped 12 of Duffy’s last 16-6 starts overall.
The Pick: Houston Astros -1.5