Royals vs. Astros Saturday Pick
Following their shocking loss to the Kansas City Royals on Friday night, the Houston Astros try to bounce back on Saturday at 7:15 p.m. ET. Will tonight’s game also turn low-scoring?
Game Snapshot & Odds
923 Kansas City Royals (+300) at 924 Houston Astros (-330); 8 runs
Saturday, June 23, 2018
7:15 p.m. ET, Minute Maid Park
TV: FOX
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Public Betting Trends
Oddsmakers from online sportsbooks currently list the Astros as a -330 favorite. As of this writing, 73% 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’ Kennedy allows five runs in loss to Rangers
Ian Kennedy gave up five runs in six innings Monday against the Rangers to take his seventh loss. Kennedy has three starts this year in which he’s allowed zero runs, yet he’s won just one game. Obviously, he’s losing when he gives up five runs. Kennedy might no longer be good enough to help a contender, but he deserves better than what he has behind him in Kansas City.
Astros’ McCullers allows two earned runs in no-decision vs. Royals
Lance McCullers allowed four runs — two earned — over six innings Sunday in a no-decision versus the Royals. McCullers struck out nine but gave up six hits, including a two-run homer to Hunter Dozier in the bottom of the third. The 24-year-old right-hander has been a little shaky lately, but he still boasts an 8-3 record, 3.77 ERA, 1.20 WHIP, and 90/34 K/BB ratio in 88 1/3 innings this season, and the Astros did manage to win Sunday’s game — their 11th win in a row. McCullers has a rematch with the Royals coming next and should fare better.
MLB Betting Trends
Kansas City
The Royals are now 6-1 in their last seven games played in Houston but are just 1-4 in their last five games versus the Astros overall.
Houston
The Astros have won four of McCullers Jr.’s last five starts versus the Royals.
Prediction:
I highly doubt the Astros lose back-to-back home games versus the tanking Royals but seeing as how there is no value in Houston’s runline or money line, let’s take a look at the total. The under is 5-1 in Kennedy’s last six starts and is 9-2 in his last 11 road outings. On the other side, the Astros have struggled with the bats since their winning streak ended, which was evident last night when they couldn’t scratch across a run in their 1-0 loss to KC.
The Pick: Royals/Astros under 8