Houston Astros at Kansas City Royals odds, picks and predictions (2024)

The Houston Astros (4-9) visit the Kansas City Royals (8-4) for the finale of a 3-game series Thursday afternoon. First pitch from Kauffman Stadium is scheduled for 2:10 p.m. ET. Let’s analyze BetMGM Sportsbook’slines around the Astros vs. Royals odds and make our expert MLB picks and predictions for the best bets.

Season series: Royals lead 2-0

The Astros fell 11-2 against the Royals Wednesday with RHP Spencer Arrighettipicking up the loss. Both Astros runs came in the 4th inning off RBI doubles from CYainer Diazand 1BJose Abreu. Houston has now lost 4 of its last 6 road games.

RHPSeth Lugopicked up the win for Kansas City. The Royals got the scoring started with a 7-run 3rd inning, and 1B Vinnie Pasquantinohad 5 RBIs and 2 runs in the game with a homer. Kansas City is seeking its 6th win in a row and back-to-back series sweeps.

Astros at Royals projected starters

RHP Hunter Brown vs. RHP Brady Singer

Brown (0-1, 6.43 ERA) makes his 3rd start. He has a 2.57 WHIP, 7.71 BB/9 and 10.29 K/9 in 7 innings.

• Last start: Loss, 3 IP, 5 ER, 8 H, 4 BB, 3 K in 10-2 loss at Texas Rangers Friday
• Astros are 0-2 in his starts this season; he hasn’t pitched past the 4th inning in either outing

Singer (1-0, 0.68 ERA) makes his 3rd start. He has a 0.53 WHIP, 2.81 BB/9 and 9.45 K/9 in 13 1/3 innings.

• Last start: No-decision, 6 1/3 IP, 1 ER, 2 H, 1 BB, 4 K in 2-1 home win vs. Chicago White Sox Friday
• Royals are 2-0 in his starts this season; he hasn’t pitched past the 6th inning in either outing and has allowed 5 total hits

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Astros at Royals odds

Provided by BetMGM Sportsbook; access USA TODAY Sports Scores and Sports Betting Odds hub for a full list. Lines last updated at 10:05 a.m. ET.

• Moneyline (ML): Astros -135 (bet $135 to win $100) | Royals +115 (bet $100 to win $115)
• Run line (RL)/Against the spread (ATS): Astros -1.5 (+125) | Royals +1.5 (-150)
• Over/Under (O/U): 9 (O: -105 | U: -115)

Astros at Royals picks and predictions

Prediction

Royals 5, Astros 2

Moneyline

BET ROYALS (+115).

Kansas City is 8-2 in its last 10 games, including 6-0 in its last 6, all at home. It has scored a combined 15 runs in its 1st 2 games against the Astros. It has outscored opponents 35-10 during its 6-game win streak.

The Astros have lost 4 of their last 6, all on the road, and have been outscored 38-27 during that span.

With Singer taking the mound, expect a Royals win.

Run line/Against the spread

PASS.

The profit is better on the Royals to win outright.

Over/Under

BET UNDER 9 (-115).

With Singer on the mound, giving up just 5 combined hits in his 2 starts, expect the Astros to struggle getting runs on the board.

Even though the Royals have had hot bats recently, scoring 20 runs in their last 3 games, they have given up just 10 runs total in their last 6, and as a result, they have hit the Under in 4 of their last 5 games.

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