MLB Betting Line Favors the Houston Astros over the Kansas City Royals

Those betting on MLB baseball odds will look to pick a Sportsbook at Kauffman Stadium on Thursday as the host Kansas City Royals battle the Houston Astros in baseball betting odds action.

Jason Hammel will take the mound for the Kansas City Royals, and he'll carry a 2-6 record into the contest. Lance McCullers Jr. gets the ball for the Houston Astros; he's 6-1 so far this season.

Sportsbook Odds & Computer Pick

The Houston Astros were listed as -180 favorites on the MLB baseball moneyline at many online sportsbooks, including Sportsbook. The total was set at 9 before betting started earlier on Thursday over at Sportsbook.

Prediction-scoring formulas run on this game pick a potential 6.1-4.1 result in favor of the Astros. View the computer score prediction and who will win the pick on the moneyline for all upcoming MLB matchups here.

Houston Astros vs Kansas City Royals Matchup

Team Betting Records & Power Rankings

26-32 Kansas City battles the Astros, currently with a 42-18 mark. Stay Informed: follow us on Twitter for odds specials, betting line moves and Kansas City vs Houston injuries news.

The Odds Shark MLB Power Rankings have the Kansas City Royals at No. 25 and the Houston Astros at No. 1 heading into this contest.

Statistical Matchup

When it comes to getting on base, the visiting Houston Astros rank No. 1 at 9.62 hits per game. That compares with the Kansas City Royals No. 25 ranking in that category.

Pitching and defensive stats are important baseball handicapping betting factors and Kansas City has the No. 16-ranked defense. In the other dugout, the Astros own the No. 2 mark in runs allowed.