The Houston Astros travel next to Kansas City after a trip to the Bay Area. Can the Astros dominate the Kansas City Royals? Or will the Royals get at least one win against the defending World Series champs in this three game series?
Starters: Charlie Morton (7-1, 2.82 ERA) vs. Jakob Junis (5-6, 4.05 ERA)
Pitching:
Morton did not factor into a decision on Saturday, when he allowed just an earned run on a hit but issued six walks in only 3.2 innings of a 4-3 road win over Texas. The Astros are 2-2 in Morton’s last four road starts. Junis, on the other hand, was wrecked in his most recent outing, as he gave up six earned runs n 10 hits (three homers) in 5.1 innings of a 7-2 road loss to Oakland last Friday.
Hitting:
Lucas Duda is 3-for-11 with four RBI against Morton.
Josh Reddick and George Springer are each 2-for-3 vs. Junis.
Writer’s Prediction:
Houston wins, 6-3.
Game 2 June 16, 2:15PM EST
Starters: Dallas Keuchel (3-8, 4.45 ERA) vs. Danny Duffy (3-6, 5.28 ERA)
Pitching:
Keuchel has been in a rut of late. He has allowed 16 earned runs on 27 hits in 16 innings over his last three starts. Thanks to the Astros’ offense, however, he avoided a loss on Sunday when he surrendered five earned runs on 13 hits in 4.1 innings of an 8-7 win in Arlington. The Astros are 4-3 in Keuchel’s last seven starts against Kansas City. Duffy, meanwhile, is coming off a great outing. He pitched seven innings of zero-run ball while striking out 10 hitters in a 2-0 road win over Oakland on Saturday.
Hitting:
Alcides Escobar is 6-for-19 vs. Keuchel.
Jose Altuve is 7-for-14 vs. Duffy.
Writer’s Prediction:
Houston wins, 6-4.
Game 3 June 17, 2:15PM EST
Starters: Lance McCullers Jr. (8-3, 3.83 ERA) vs. Brad Keller (1-2, 2.31 ERA)
Pitching:
McCullers is 2-0 in his last three starts. He has given up just seven earned runs across 20 innings over that span. Converted-starter Keller, meanwhile, is searching for his second win of the season. He allowed two earned runs on five hits in 5.1 innings of a 3-2 loss against Oakland on Sunday.
Hitting:
Mike Moustakas 3-for-9 with a homer vs. McCullers.
Writer’s Prediction:
Houston wins, 5-3.
Writer’s Overall Series Prediction
Houston sweeps this June regular season series against the Kansas City Royals.
