Royals vs. Astros Prediction and Odds for July 5 (Greinke in Vintage Form After IL Stint)
By Josh Yourish
Game 2 of this four-game set between Kansas City and Houston tonight features Zack Greinke on the mound for KC and Luis Garcia getting the start for the Astros. Houston needed a furious comeback to take Game 1 on a walk-off homer from Yordan Alvarez.
After last night’s win, Houston is now 52-27 and extended their win-streak to seven games. The Royals fall to 29-49, dangerously close to their 50th loss. They would join Oakland, Washington, and Cincinnati as the first to the 50 loss club.
You can find odds for tonight’s matchup at WynnBET Sportsbook.
Royals vs. Astros Odds, Run Line and Total
Run Line
- Royals +1.5 (-105)
- Astros -1.5 (-115)
Moneyline
- Royals +210
- Astros -230
Total
- 8.0 (Over -120 / Under +100)
Royals vs. Astros Prediction and Pick
Houston allowed six runs last night in their 7-6 walk-off win. Despite that, over their last ten games they still have a sub two ERA and have won 9 of those games. The Astros have won seven in a row overall and eight consecutive home games. The Royals have won Greinke’s last two starts, his only starts since returning from injury, and he has only allowed one run in each.
It seems that we know Houston is going to pitch, they have the second best team ERA the last month of play at 2.97. The Royals rank 23rd in that stat, but that feels irrelevant for this specific game with Greinke on the bump. Early in the season, Zack Greinke looked to be putting together a vintage season, but his stretch to end May, prior to his IL stint got ugly and is the reason his ERA sits at 4.38. When he is healthy and fresh, he is a good pitcher. His first six starts of the year he had a 2.67 ERA.
The truth of 2022 Zack Greinke is probably somewhere in between 4.38 and 2.67, but from what I have seen, when he is healthy, the truth might be a little closer to sub three than not. It’s a low total, but I think we can easily stay under it.
Pick: Under 8.0 (+100)
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