What Happens When the AL ERA Leader Meets the AL's Worst Offense?

Mike Moustakas was the hero for the Royals last night, ending the Astros’ 11-game winning streak with a walk-off home run that capped an eight-run comeback effort by Kansas City. The 9-7 final produced a fourth straight OVER in this head-to-head but with Dallas Keuchel (9-0, 1.67 ERA) and Jason Vargas (7-3, 2.08 ERA) heading to the mound tonight, that streak could also be in jeopardy of ending.

SHARK BITES
  • The Astros have won 9 straight games with Dallas Keuchel as their starting pitcher.
  • Jason Vargas is coming off a complete-game shutout of the Cleveland Indians.
  • The Astros are providing Dallas Keuchel with an average run support of 5.73.

Visiting teams have been very successful in this matchup, going 8-3 straight up in their last 11 meetings and that, along with Keuchel’s dominance and the Astros’ strong start this season, has led books to peg Houston as massive road chalk for this evening’s game. The Royals actually have a winning record as underdogs this season, however, and they’ve got all the momentum after last night’s heroics.

Keuchel has been a hard man to get to this year, though, and he’s allowed a total of just four runs to cross the plate over his last 23 innings pitched. The run support Keuchel’s been receiving and the performance of the Astros bullpen has afforded manager A.J. Hinch the luxury of pulling his ace out of games early and limiting the strain on his arm.

Throwing fewer than 100 pitches in all but three of his starts this season and averaging just 82 in his last three, Keuchel should be fresh for tonight’s matchup with the 2015 World Series champs and is a solid play in daily fantasy formats against the worst offense in the American League.

Sportsbook Odds & Computer Pick

Sportsbooks such as Sportsbook had installed the Kansas City Royals as 172 moneyline underdogs in this particular MLB betting odds matchup. The total, meanwhile, was set early at 8 before betting at Sportsbook started to move the line.

Odds Shark prediction models pick the Astros to win this game 6.8-3.8. 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

The Kansas City Royals sport a record of 25-32 heading into this matchup, while the Houston Astros sit at 42-17 on the season Stay Informed: follow us on Twitter for odds specials, betting line moves and Kansas City vs Houston injuries news.

This game matches up the No. 25 (Kansas City Royals) and the No. 1 (Houston Astros) teams, according to our current MLB Power Rankings.

Statistical Matchup

On offense, it's a battle between the Kansas City Royals and its No. 28-rated batting order, averaging 3.61 runs per nine innings, against the No. 2 line up of the Houston Astros at 5.53 runs per outing.

Kansas City owns the No. 16 defense, allowing 3.61 men per game to cross the plate. That contrasts with Houston's No. 2-rated defense.

Recent Outings Betting Recap

The Astros endured a 9-7 loss at the hands of the Royals on Tuesday, with David Paulino throwing 5.2 innings of 8-hit ball at Royals Stadium.

Betting Trends
  • Houston is 9-2 ATS in its last 11 games
  • Houston is 11-1 SU in its last 12 games
  • The total has gone OVER in 4 of Houston's last 6 games
  • Houston is 10-2 ATS in its last 12 games on the road
  • The total has gone OVER in 4 of Kansas City's last 6 games
  • The total has gone OVER in 4 of Kansas City's last 6 games at home
  • Kansas City is 5-1 ATS in its last 6 games when playing Houston
  • Kansas City is 4-2 SU in its last 6 games when playing Houston

Next Betting Matchups

Houston at Kansas City, Thursday, June 8th

The Astros have won 9 straight games with Dallas Keuchel as their starting pitcher.away Jason Vargas is coming off a complete-game shutout of the Cleveland Indians.home The Astros are providing Dallas Keuchel with an average run support of 5.73.away
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