Houston Astros (83-65) vs. Kansas City Royals (47-101)
Houston Astros vs. Kansas City Royals 9/17/23 – On September 17th, 2023, the Houston Astros with a record of 83-65 will face off against the Kansas City Royals with a miserable 47-101 mark at Ewing M. Kauffman Stadium at 2:10 PM ET for a game scheduled to air live on BSKC. Both teams aim to secure postseason spots; Houston hopes for an edge while Kansas City plans on playing spoiler.
Houston Astros come into this game as one of the premier teams in baseball, boasting an 83-65 record. Their batting average stands at .259 with 760 runs scored on 1318 hits and 202 homers; their pitchers boast an ERA of 3.96 with a WHIP of 1.29; their stats show an effective team that excels both offensively and defensively, making them formidable opponents to rival.
The Royals have endured an inauspicious 2017-18 campaign, compiling an embarrassing 47-101 record and possessing an inferior batting average (.243). Additionally, their total runs scored (605), hits (1206), and homers hit (148) have all decreased year over year; plus their pitching staff has an ERA of 5.19 with an astounding 1.41 WHIP ratio that betrays their struggles this season and makes them underdogs for this matchup. If you’re looking for some insights and recommendations on their upcoming games, don’t forget to check out some free winning MLB picks.
Houston Astros vs. Kansas City Royals Game Info
| When: | Sunday, September 17, 2023 at 2:10 PM ET |
| Where: | Ewing M. Kauffman Stadium |
| TV: | BSKC |
| Stream | MLB.TV |
Framber Valdez (11-10, 3.32 ERA) vs. Jordan Lyles (4-16, 6.44 ERA)
Framber Valdez will take the mound for the Astros this time out and has posted an impressive 11-10 win-loss record this season, but don’t let his relatively balanced win/loss record fool you – his 3.32 ERA and WHIP of just 1.1 over 181.2 innings pitched are impressive numbers that speak to Valdez ability to keep runs off the board, get out of tight spots quickly, as well as his mental edge when facing pressure in late season and postseason games like this one. Valdez is known for his devastating curveball as well as an assortment of fastballs and changeups that make him effective against batters from both sides of the plate. This makes him an indispensable weapon for the Astros as he can adjust his approach depending on which lineups he faces.
On the opposite end of the spectrum is Jordan Lyles for the Royals, whose season has not been impressive. Boasting a 4-16 win-loss record and 6.44 ERA, Lyles’ stats demonstrate a pitcher who’s having difficulty finding his footing over 160.2 innings; giving up an alarming 164 hits with 36 homers allowed. On a more positive note, however, Luzardo boasts a somewhat respectable WHIP of 1.28 while striking out 107 batters.Lyles’ main struggle has been consistency. While he has shown glimpses of brilliance with fastballs that can touch the upper 90s and changeups that can deceive batters, he struggles with control issues that leave him vulnerable in high-leverage situations despite being a relatively inexperienced pitcher.
MLB Odds/Point Spread: Houston Astros -230, Total Odds: 9.5
The betting odds strongly favor the Astros with a spread of -1.5 at -159 and a Moneyline of -230. The Royals have a spread of +1.5 at +130 and a Moneyline of +206. The over/under for the game is set at 9.5.
Houston Astros Betting Trends Analysis
Houston’s recent form has been promising, especially in games against Kansas City. They are 7-3 straight-up (SU) in their last ten meetings. Furthermore, they are an exceptional 8-1 SU in their last nine games on the road, and 10-5 SU in their last 15 road games against Kansas City. Four of their last six games against an opponent in the American League and the American League Central Division have gone under the total.
Kansas City Royals Betting Trends Analysis
For the Royals, their home form has been a concern as they are 4-9 SU in their last 13 games at home. They also have a poor 6-13 SU record in their last 19 games. However, six of their last nine games against Houston have gone over the total, providing a glimpse of optimism in an otherwise dreary season.
Houston Astros vs. Kansas City Royals 9/17/23 Betting Picks
Considering all factors, including recent trends, team statistics, and starting pitchers, the safest bet appears to be on Houston. Valdez’ superior stats and experience make him a likely candidate to outpitch Lyles, who has been struggling throughout the season.
The Astros’ strong road form and the Royals’ struggles at home further tip the scales in favor of Houston. However, considering both teams have seen their games go under the total recently, betting the under on the total of 9.5 also seems like a good option. For more insights and potential betting opportunities, you can also explore some premium sports picks.
Free Pick and Prediction: Houston Astros will win 5-2.