A Michael Wacha-led Kansas City team looks like a break on paper, but this Astros team has made a habit of turning easy spots into hard ones.
The Houston Astros are heading home after a long road trip that came to an end with a three-game losing streak. The Astros were able to secure a series win against the Phillies, but Tampa Bay put the Astros to bed with a full sweep.
The Astros will open their series against the Kansas City Royals, and the Astros are right at .500, 75-75, whereas the Royals are 66-83. After having to face the Rays, who have won 90 games and clinched a playoff spot during the series against the Astros, Kansas City looks like a break on paper. But Michael Wacha has had a strong season for the Royals, a 3.25 ERA over a league-leading 182.2 innings, so this isn't quite the easy breather the records suggest.
Houston Astros @ Kansas City Royals
7:10 PM CT | Daikin Park
Here is a look at the pitching matchup:
For the Astros:
Hunter Brown takes the mound for Houston. He's sitting at a 3.52 ERA and 100 strikeouts over 92 innings this season, and after everything this rotation has been through with injuries, he's been one of the most consistent arms they've had.
For the Royals:
Michael Wacha takes the mound for Kansas City. He's sitting at a 3.25 ERA with 147 strikeouts over a league-leading 182.2 innings this season. He doesn't get much national attention, but he's been a consistent and reliable starter all year.
1. J Peña (R) SS
2. Y Alvarez (L) DH
3. I Paredes (R) 3B
4. J Altuve (R) 2B
5. Y Diaz (R) C
6. D Varsho (L) CF
7. C Walker (R) 1B
8. C Smith (R) RF
9. L Wade Jr. (L) LF
Royals lineup:
1. C Jensen (L) C
2. B Witt Jr. (R) SS
3. J Caglianone (L) DH
4. M Garcia (R) 3B
5. V Pasquantino (L) 1B
6. M Massey (L) 2B
7. J Rave (L) RF
8. K Isbel (L) CF
9. I Collins (S) LF
After getting swept in Tampa, the Astros need this series to get back on track, and a soft spot in the schedule is exactly what a team sitting at .500 needs right now. Kansas City isn't a great team, but Wacha gives them a real chance to steal a game or two if Houston isn't careful. With the Rangers still lurking just a couple games back, the Astros can't afford to treat this series like a given. A strong week at home could steady things heading into the final stretch, but this team has made a habit of making things harder than they need to be.
