The Kansas City Royals, currently riding a wave of momentum, will face off against the Houston Astros in a four-game series beginning Thursday night. The Royals have notably closed the gap in the AL Central Division, now competing closely with the Cleveland Guardians for the lead. Meanwhile, the Astros have also found their rhythm, recovering from an early season slump to claim the top spot in the AL West. This exciting matchup features Royals’ right-handed pitcher Brady Singer (9-9, 3.38 ERA) squaring off against Astros’ righty Hunter Brown (11-7, 3.72 ERA). Fans can look forward to the first pitch at 8:10 PM EST.
Royals Rally Behind Singer
The Kansas City Royals have emerged as one of the most compelling narratives in Major League Baseball this season. As they push toward a potential playoff appearance—something they haven’t achieved since their 2015 World Series victory—the excitement is palpable. The Royals had been trailing the Guardians throughout the season but recently turned the tide by winning three games in a row against them, including a doubleheader sweep on Tuesday. However, a missed opportunity on Wednesday resulted in a 7-5 loss, leaving them just a game behind the Guardians as they head into the series against the Astros.
The Royals will need veteran righty Brady Singer to help maintain their momentum. Singer has a record of 9-9 with 26 starts this season, boasting an ERA of 3.38 and 11 quality outings. He has struck out 141 batters and allowed 143 hits across 146.2 innings. Nonetheless, his last outing was challenging, where he surrendered five runs on 11 hits in a loss to the Phillies.
Key Injuries: Relief pitchers Josh Taylor, John Schreiber, Christian Chamberlain, and Dan Altavilla are on the injured list.
Astros Aim for Consistency with Brown
The Houston Astros return to their home field after competing against two formidable opponents in successive series. They faced the Baltimore Orioles, dropping two of three games, but managed to avoid a sweep with a victory on Sunday. Following this, the Astros met the Philadelphia Phillies, the leaders of the NL East and their World Series rivals from 2022. The Astros struggled in the first two games but bounced back with a decisive 10-0 win on Wednesday, highlighted by Yordan Alvarez’s three home runs and a stellar pitching performance from Spencer Arrighetti.
Hunter Brown will take the mound for the Astros in the series opener against the Royals. After a rocky beginning to the season, Brown has transformed into one of the team’s most dependable pitchers. He holds an 11-7 record with a 3.72 ERA and has achieved 15 quality starts out of 26. This season, he has struck out 151 batters while allowing 133 hits in 140.1 innings. In his last appearance, Brown delivered an efficient six-inning performance against the Orioles, allowing only one run on three hits.
Key Injuries: Starting pitcher Luis Garcia, right fielder Kyle Tucker, and starting pitcher Lance McCullers are sidelined.
Best Bets for Kansas City Royals vs. Houston Astros
Hunter Brown’s resurgence this season has made him a reliable asset for the Astros. With 15 quality starts to his name, he consistently puts his team in a position to succeed. He faced challenges earlier in the season against the Royals but has since developed into a formidable opponent. Playing at home, where Brown has a 5-3 record with a 3.42 ERA, gives him an added advantage. Conversely, Brady Singer has struggled in away games, holding a 3-4 record with a 4.04 ERA this season. With this in mind, the Astros are favored to gain the upper hand in the opening game against the Royals in Houston.
