Thursday, October 8, 2015

Kauffman Stadium

For Updated Odds on This Game Click Here

Probable Pitchers: Collin McHugh (19-7) vs. Yordano Ventura (13-8)

The Houston Astros take on the Kansas City Royals on Thursday at Kauffman Stadium in Game 1 of the ALDS. The probable starters are Collin McHugh for the Astros and Yordano Ventura for the Royals. The opening line for this matchup has Houston at +132 and Kansas City at -142. The over/under was set at 7.5. The Astros, with a 85-78 run line record, cover the spread 52% of the time. They also have a 73-81 over/under record. The Royals are 89-73 against the run line and have a 73-75 over/under record. They cover the spread 55% of the time.

The Astros come into this game with a 87-76 record, and they are 34-48 away from home. Starting pitcher Collin McHugh holds a 19-7 record with an earned run average of 3.89 and a WHIP of 1.28. In his starts, the Astros are 21-11 over his 203.2 innings pitched this season while giving up 207 hits during those innings. Their record against the over/under when he starts is 15-15. He is getting 5.1 runs from the team when he takes the mound. The bullpen has an earned run average of 3.27 and they have given up 371 base hits on the year. The bullpen has struck out 463 and walked 135 batters this season while opposing teams hit .216 against them. Houston has a team average of 8.14 hits allowed per game and are averaging 8.01 strikeouts per nine innings. With a team earned run average of 3.55, they are 6th in the league.

As a team, Houston is batting .249, good for 22nd in the league while putting together a .246 average away from home. The Astros hold a .436 team slugging percentage and an on-base percentage of .315 which is good for 16th in baseball. With 200 hits, Jose Altuve leads the team while his team ranks 24th in hits per game with 8.39.

With a 95-67 overall record, Kansas City will come into this game 51-30 at home. With an earned run average of 4.08, Yordano Ventura will come into this game holding a 13-8 record and a 1.30 WHIP. In his starts, the Royals are 16-12 and he has allowed 154 hits over 163.1 innings pitched this season. Their record against the over/under when he starts is 11-13. He is getting 5 runs from the team when he takes the mound. The bullpen has an earned run average of 2.72 and they have given up 419 base hits on the year. The Royals bullpen has struck out 502 batters and walked 191 this season while opposing teams have hit .211 against them. Kansas City has a team average of 8.5 hits per game and are averaging 7.19 strikeouts per nine innings. With a team earned run average of 3.74, they are 10th in the league.

As a team, they are batting .269, good for 3rd in the league while putting together a .279 average at home. The Royals hold a .412 team slugging percentage and an on-base percentage of .322 which is good for 11th in baseball. With 178 hits, Eric Hosmer leads the team while his team ranks 2nd in hits per game with 9.24.

Houston has a team fielding percentage of .986 after having committed 85 errors with 1,617 assists and 4,323 put outs for the season. Over the course of this season, the Royals have accumulated 88 errors while having 1,611 assists and 4,356 put outs leading to a .985 fielding percentage.

Houston Astros Betting Trends

The Houston Astros are 73-81 against the over/under so far this season

The Houston Astros are 85-78 against the run line so far this season

Kansas City Royals Betting Trends

The Kansas City Royals are 73-75 against the over/under so far this season

The Kansas City Royals are 89-73 against the run line so far this season

Injuries to Watch

Houston Astros

09/11/15 P Scott Feldman Shoulder Injury is on the 60 day disabled list (9/14); out for season
05/19/15 P Samuel Deduno Back Injury is on the 60 day disabled list (5/14), out for season
04/17/15 P Brad Peacock Hip Injury is on the 60 day disabled list (4/14); out for season

Kansas City Royals

10/05/15 CF Lorenzo Cain Knee probable Thursday vs.
09/24/15 P Greg Holland Elbow out for season
09/19/15 2B Omar Infante Oblique out indefinitely
07/22/15 P Jason Vargas Elbow Injury is on the 15 day disabled list (7/22); out for season
05/17/15 P Brian Flynn Shoulder Injury is on the 60 day disabled list (5/16)
04/06/15 P Tim Collins Elbow Injury is on the 15 day disabled list (4/6)

Guy's Pick: Take the Astros

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