Royals vs Astros Picks and Prediction – 8/30/2024

On Thursday, the Kansas City Royals (74-58) face off against the Houston Astros (70-61) at Minute Maid Park in Houston, Texas. Shay Whitcomb went 1-for-4 with 2 RBIs for the Astros in their 3-2 extra inning loss to Philadelphia. Stay up to date with our expert's MLB Picks.

Houston comes into this game on a one-game losing streak and has dropped three of their last five games. Yordan Alvarez is the top home run hitter for the Houston Astros this season, having smashed 25 home runs. Alex Bregman follows closely, having hit 21 home runs to date. Yainer Diaz is the team's leader in RBIs, accumulating 72 so far. Alvarez also boasts the highest batting average on the team, hitting .305. Over their last five games, the Astros have given up an average of 3.2 runs per game and are currently in first place in the American League West Division. They hold a three-and-a-half-game lead over the Seattle Mariners. Houston is aiming to end its current losing streak as the surprising Kansas City Royals visit. On average, the Astros score 4.6 runs per game throughout the season.

Kansas City enters this game on a two-game winning streak and has won three of their last five games. In their impressive 9-4 victory over Cleveland, Salvador Perez delivered a standout performance for the Kansas City Royals, recording two hits in four at-bats. He drove in six runs, scored twice, and smashed two home runs. Meanwhile, Bobby Witt Jr. maintains his position as the team's top home run hitter with 27 homers, closely followed by Perez, who has contributed 25 home runs this season. Leading the Royals in RBIs this year is Vinnie Pasquantino, who has accumulated 96 runs batted in. Bobby Witt Jr. also tops the team's batting averages, hitting an impressive .347. Over the past five games, Kansas City has averaged five runs per game and currently sits second in the American League Central Division standings, just one game behind Cleveland. They also hold the second Wild Card spot, sitting one and a half games ahead of Minnesota. As they aim to extend their winning streak, the Royals are hopeful that their recent victories against Cleveland will set the tone for their upcoming series in Houston. On the season, Kansas City averages 4.9 runs per game.

Kansas City’s pitcher, Brady Singer, has posted a 9-9 record with an ERA of 3.38 this season, showcasing his steady performance on the mound. On the other hand, Hunter Brown of the Houston Astros holds an 11-7 record, complemented by an ERA of 3.72. Both pitchers have been models of consistency throughout the season and are eager to assert their dominance in this vital game. For the Royals, victory is essential as they are making a strong push for the top spot in their division. Meanwhile, the Astros, who had a slow start to the season, have managed to secure and maintain the leading position in the AL West. Look for this to be a matchup to watch as both teams are hungry to get a win over the other. Final Score Prediction, Houston Astros win 5-0.