Royals vs. Astros Prediction and Odds for July 4 (Back the Astros in Odorizzi's Return)
By Josh Yourish
The top team in the AL West, Houston, meets the punching bag of the AL Central, Kansas City, for a four-game series at Minute Maid Park. The Astros come in at 51-27 and the Royals are hoping to get their 30th win before they are tagged with their 50th loss, they sit at 29-48
For Game 1 of the series, Houston hands the ball to former Royal, Jake Odorizzi, for his eighth start. Kansas City turns to Jonathan Heasley, making his 10th start on the Fourth of July.
You can find odds for every game on the slate this holiday, at WynnBET Sportsbook.
Royals vs. Astros Odds, Run Line and Total
Run Line
- Royals +1.5 (+105)
- Astros -1.5 (-125)
Moneyline
- Royals +200
- Astros -220
Total
- 9.0 (Over -105 / Under -115)
Royals vs. Astros Prediction and Pick
Jake Odorizzi is returning to the mound for Houston after sustaining a leg injury back in May. That was bad news for Houston not just because they were losing a starter, but because of how well that starter was pitching. Odorizzi made three starts in the month of May and allowed just one earned run.
Now, Odorizzi is returning to a big league mound after making rehab starts in Triple-A Sugar Land and Double-A Corpus Christi. He worked eight innings over the two starts and will likely be able to go about five innings in his return to Houston. Odorizzi has a 3.13 ERA and has struck out six batters per nine this year.
The Astros are 8-2 in their last ten games, which includes five with the Yankees. Houston went 3-2 against New York over that stretch and amassed a 7-2 record against the Yankees and Mets, who they played back-to-back to end June. The pitching has been the reason for the recent surge from Houston, its staff has a 1.90 ERA over their last ten games.
The Royals are 26th in the Majors in team OPS, and have hit .234 in their last ten games. That was only enough offense to go 4-6, and with Heasley on the mound, KC won’t have the pitching to go toe-to-toe with the Astros.
Pick: Astros -1.5 (-125)
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