The Kansas City Royals (55-68) and Houston Astros (73-51) play the opener of a three-game set Monday at Minute Maid Park. First pitch is scheduled for 8:10 p.m. ET. Let’s analyze the lines around the Royals vs. Astros odds with MLB picks and predictions.
Royals LHP Daniel Lynch (3-3, 5.12 ERA) makes his ninth start. He has a 1.50 WHIP, 7.2 K/9 and 3.7 BB/9 through 38 2/3 IP.
- Allowed one run, four hits and three walks with five strikeouts in a win over the Astros Tuesday in Kansas City.
- Has posted a 2-0 record, 2.70 ERA and 18 strikeouts across 16 2/3 innings in three August outings.
Astros RHP Zack Greinke (11-3, 3.43 ERA) makes his 26th start. He has a 1.11 WHIP, 6.4 K/9 and 1.7 BB/9 through 149 2/3 IP.
- Allowed one run, five hits and no walks with no strikeouts across six innings in a no-decision in Kansas City Wednesday.
- Is enjoying his finest month of the season, going 1-0 with a 1.89 ERA in three outings in August. He has allowed just four runs, 13 hits and one walk across 19 innings.
Royals at Astros odds, lines, picks and prediction
MLB odds courtesy of Tipico Sportsbook; access USA TODAY Sports for a full list. Odds last updated at 7:30 a.m. ET.
- Money line: Royals +200 (bet $100 to win $200) | Astros -250 (bet $250 to win $100)
- Against the spread/ATS: Royals +1.5 (-107) | Astros -1.5 (-115)
- Over/Under: 8.5 (O: -130 | U: +105)
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Prediction
Astros 5, Royals 2
Money line (ML)
Backing the Astros (-250) will mean you need to risk two-and-a-half times your potential return, and that’s just too rich for my blood.
AVOID, and look to the run line instead.
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Run line/Against the spread (ATS)
The ASTROS -1.5 (-115) are a much better value on the run line as they look to rebound from a 6-3 loss at the hands of the Seattle Mariners Sunday. Before that setback they had manhandled the M’s by a combined score of 27-4 in two wins. In fact, Houston has covered the run line in three of the past four as a favorite.
Over/Under (O/U)
The UNDER 8.5 (+105) is a very solid value despite the fact the Houston offense has been banging lately. The Astros have hit the Over in three in a row, but the Under is 2-0-1 in the previous three meetings with the Royals from Aug. 17-19, including starts by both Greinke and Lynch.
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