The Houston Astros play the first game of a four-game series on the road Monday against the Kansas City Royals. Houston is 70-46 following an 8-2 victory over the Los Angeles Angels on Saturday. Houston has won four straight, five of the last six and the Astros are leading the American League West by 2 ½ games over the Oakland Athletics.
Michael Brantley is batting .331 to lead Houston and the left fielder has a team high 121 hits. Second baseman Jose Altuve is the leader in home runs with 25, while DH Yordan Alvarez is the leader in RBIs with 76 and first baseman Yuli Gurriel is the leader in on-base percentage at .386. On Monday, Houston will send Jake Odorizzi to the mound. The right-hander is 5-6 with an ERA of 4.59, 60 Ks and 23 BBs.
Kansas City dropped to 49-66 following a 9-4 loss to the St Louis Cardinals on Saturday. Kansas City has lost each of the first two games of its three-game interleague series against the Cardinals that concludes on Sunday. The Royals are last in the American League Central 18 games behind the first-place Chicago White Sox. Kansas City has lost three straight and six of the last eight.
Salvador Perez batting .278 to lead Kansas City and the catcher has team highs in home runs with 29 and RBIs with 73. Right fielder Whit Merrifield is the leader in hits with 125 and first baseman Carlos Santana is the leader in on-base percentage at .333. On Monday, Kansas City will send Carlos Hernandez to the mound. The right-hander is 3-1 with an ERA of 4.11, 51 Ks and 25 BBs.
