Astros vs Royals Prediction MLB Picks Today 9/22
- Lm Tipster
- Sep 22, 2023, 6:26:54 AM
© Peter Aiken-USA TODAY Sports
Kansas City Royals vs. Houston Astros: Team Preview and Prediction
Prepare for an intriguing MLB showdown as the Kansas City Royals face off against the Houston Astros at Minute Maid Park. In this comprehensive team preview, we'll delve into the strengths and weaknesses of both teams and provide our prediction for the game.
Kansas City Royals
The Kansas City Royals have endured a challenging season with a record of 51-102. Their performance on the road, marked by a 20-55 record, has been a significant struggle.
Batting Leaders:
Bobby Witt Jr. has been a standout performer for the Royals with 29 home runs and 91 RBIs. His contributions have been essential in the batting lineup.
Pitching Overview:
Cole Ragans is set to take the mound for the Royals, carrying a 6-4 record with a 3.33 ERA. He looks to maintain stability in the pitching rotation.
Recent Form:
The Royals have shown some signs of improvement lately, winning 4 of their last 5 games. They aim to build on this momentum even as they season is already over.
Houston Astros
The Houston Astros have had a solid season, currently holding a record of 85-68. Their home performance has been consistent, with a 39-39 record at Minute Maid Park.
Batting Strengths:
Kyle Tucker has been a prominent hitter for the Astros with 28 home runs and 108 RBIs. His presence in the lineup has been crucial.
Pitching Advantages:
Framber Valdez, a key pitcher for the Astros, takes the mound for this game. With a 12-10 record and a 3.20 ERA, he aims to stifle the Royals' offense.
Recent Form:
The Astros have had mixed results in recent games, winning only 2 of their last 5 games. They look to secure a victory in this matchup as they're on a fight for a playoff spot.
Prediction
As we assess this game, the spotlight falls on the pitching duel between Cole Ragans and Framber Valdez. Both pitchers have demonstrated the ability to control the game. Framber Valdez has a record of 2-1 with an ERA of 3.80 and 16 strikeouts in 5 appearances versus the Royals in his career while Cole Ragans has a record of 0-2 with an ERA of 6.23 and 14 strikeouts in 4 appearances versus the Astros in his career.
Considering their recent performances and the fact that this game is being played at Minute Maid Park, which tends to favor pitchers, we predict that the total runs scored will be UNDER 8 in this matchup.
With two capable pitchers on the mound and the potential for a low-scoring contest, the Under bet appears to be the most favorable option for this game.
Pick: Under 8 runs
