The ‘stros visit Kansas City for three games against the Royals.
The Astros invade Kansas City for three showdowns with the Royals.
GameTimes and Starting Pitchers
Friday, 6:40 PM CT: Hayden Wesneski (1-1, 3.91) vs. Seth Lugo (1-3, 3.90)
Saturday, 6:10 PM CT: Framber Valdez (1-2, 4.50) vs. Michael Wacha (0-3, 4.15)
Sunday, 1:10 PM CT: Hunter Brown (3-1, 1.16) vs. Kris Bubic (2-1, 1.45)
Last Time/History
Last season, the Royals swept Houston in Kauffman Stadium in a three-game series, then Houston swept the Royals in a four-game set at Minute Maid Park. In the final matchup, on September 1, the Astros reached 13 games above .500 by defeating KC 7-2 on a Sunday. With 40,229 in attendance, Ronel Blanco (10-6, 3.03) pitched five shutout innings while Houston’s offense racked up seven runs on nine hits. Jon Singleton (12) hit a home run, and Yordan Alvarez (29, 30) hit two of them.
Obviously, it’s a big goal, and every single time I go out there, I try to give it my all and give my best, and the numbers will show up — Alvarez, on joining Jeff Bagwell as the Astros second member of the 30 homers in four straight seasons club
Houston was won 55-of-101 games in direct conflict with the Royals, a .545 winning percentage that ranks as the Astros eighth-best record against another team.
What Have They Been Up To?
Kansas City has been feast or famine of late, starting the season 12-14. Their last 10 reads LLLLLLWWWW. Houston, meanwhile, looks like WLWLWWLWWW. That’s 4-6 for the bad guys, 7-3 for us.
The Royals four game winning streak includes two extra inning affairs and yesterday’s doubleheader sweep of the Colorado Rockies.
In the nightcap, both teams finished with nine hits. Colorado hit the only two home runs, but lost 6-2 against a balanced Royals attack. Six players had one hit apiece, while Salvatore Perez led the way with a five-hit day (including the opener). Perez hit four doubles and a single.
That’s what happens when you’re that fast. The friction of the dirt and everything just breaks it. — Bobby Witt Jr. on Perez busting his belt sliding into second
Short Analysis
I don’t see a clear favorite in the first game of the series based on the starting pitchers. What could come into play is the fact that Houston just had a day off, while Kansas City played 18 innings yesterday (and used eight pitchers to do it). Still, it could easily be a trap game.
KC’s game two starter, Wacha, has gotten off to a rough start. His 1.308 WHIP is the highest since the COVID season and his 6.9 K/9 is a career low. With Framber coming off a disappointing game, i look for our favorite hothead to settle down and make short work of these guys.
HB, now ranked as MLB’s sixth-best starter (by MLB.COM), takes on Bubic. Now, we’re all looking at HB like he’s a newly-crowned ace (and that’s deserved), but this Bubic guy has a career-high in bWAR, in his sixth-season — and it’s still April. He’s struck out 33 in 31 frames while holding his opponents to a 1.065 WHIP.
What Sayeth Thee?