Houston Astros at Kansas City Royals 6/4/22 - MLB Picks & Predictions

Houston Astros play the second game of a three-game series on the road Saturday against the Kansas City Royals. Houston improved to 33-18 following its 5-4 victory over the Oakland Athletics on Wednesday. Houston swept Oakland in its three-game series with their American League West rival and the Astros have won four straight. Houston is first in the AL West, 6 ½ games ahead of the second place Los Angeles Angels.

Jeremy Pena is batting .285 to lead Houston and the shortstop has a team high 45 hits. Left fielder Yordan Alvarez is the leader in home runs with 14, RBIs with 31 and on-base percentage at .367. On Saturday, the Houston Astros will send Luis Garcia to the mound. The right-hander is 3-3 with a 3.14 ERA, 51 Ks and 15 BBs.

Kansas City dropped to 16-33 following its 4-0 loss to the Cleveland Guardians on Wednesday. The Royals were swept in their three game series with the Guardians and have lost four straight. Kansas City has dropped 11 of the last 13. The Royals are last in the American League Central, 12 games behind the first place Minnesota Twins.

Andrew Benintendi is batting .337 to lead Kansas City and the left fielder has team highs in hits with 61 and on-base percentage of .402. Shortstop Bobby Witt Jr. is the leader in home runs with six and second baseman Whit Merrifield is the leader in RBIs with 24. Kansas City has not announced its starting pitcher for their game on Saturday against Houston.