Friday, October 9, 2015

Kauffman Stadium

For Updated Odds on This Game Click Here

Probable Pitchers: Scott Kazmir (7-11) vs. Johnny Cueto (4-7)

The Houston Astros head to Kauffman Stadium on Friday to take on the Kansas City Royals in Game 2 of the ALDS. The Astros send Scott Kazmir to the mound to face Johnny Cueto of the Royals. The opening line for this matchup has Houston at +120 and Kansas City at -140. 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. Scott Kazmir has a 7-11 record on the season, an earned run average of 3.10 and a 1.21 WHIP. The Astros are 13-18 over his 183 innings pitched and he's also given up 162 hits over that time period. Their record against the over/under when he starts is 13-15. He is getting 3.7 runs from the team when he takes the mound. The bullpen's earned run average is currently 3.27 and they've given up 371 hits on the season. Teams are hitting .216 against the bullpen while being struck out 463 times and walking 135 times this season. As a team, Houston has allowed 8.14 hits per nine innings while striking out 8.01 batters per nine. They are 6th in the league in team earned run average at 3.55.

As a team, Houston is batting .249, good for 22nd in the league while putting together a .246 average away from home. Ranked at 16th in the league in on-base percentage, the Astros sit at .315 and they hold a .436 team slugging percentage. They rank 24th in baseball with 8.39 hits per game and Jose Altuve leads the team with 201.

With a 95-67 overall record, Kansas City will come into this game 51-30 at home. Johnny Cueto has a record of 4-7 while sporting an earned run average of 4.76 on the year with a 1.45 WHIP. The Royals have a record of 4-9 over the 81.1 innings he's pitched during which he's given up 101 hits. Their record against the over/under when he starts is 9-4. He is getting 4.7 runs from the team when he takes the mound. The bullpen's earned run average is currently at 2.72 and they have given up 419 hits on the season. Teams are hitting .211 against the Royals bullpen while being struck out 502 times and walking 191 times this season. As a team, Kansas City has allowed 8.5 hits per nine innings while striking out 7.19 batters per nine. They are 10th in the league in team earned run average at 3.74.

As a team, they are batting .269, good for 3rd in the league while putting together a .279 average at home. Ranked at 11th in the league in on-base percentage, the Royals sit at .322 and they hold a .412 team slugging percentage. They rank 2nd in baseball with 9.24 hits per game and Eric Hosmer leads the team with 178.

The Astros have committed 85 errors and have combined for 1,617 assists and 4,323 put outs leading to a .986 team fielding percentage. For the home team, they hold a .985 team fielding percentage while committing 88 errors, accumulating 1,611 assists and compiling 4,356 put outs.

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

10/08/15 CF Lorenzo Cain Knee probable Thursday vs. Houston Astros
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)

Josh's Pick: Take the Astros

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