The Astros extended their outstanding winning streak to 10 games as they recorded another dominant 7-2 win over the Texas Rangers. The Astros completed the sweep of the Rangers on the road, and have now tied a franchise record with 10 straight road wins. They’re an MLB-best 21-6 on the road this season.
The Houston lineup has been absolutely mashing over the course of this win streak, averaging 7.5 runs per game. Leadoff hitter George Springer has been at the forefront of hot streak. He had two more home runs yesterday, giving him five homers and nine RBI in his last six games. Carlos Correa also went yard yesterday, and now has 12 RBI in his last six games.
All that firepower has taken a lot of the pressure off of the Houston starters. Tonight’s starter, Mike Fiers, hasn’t been very good this season, as evidenced by his 4.96 ERA. However, he is coming off one of his better starts of the season against the Minnesota Twins, though. He went six innings, giving up two earned runs on five hits while striking out eight.
Fiers was also pretty solid in his first start of the season, which came against the Royals. He lost the decision despite giving up just one earned run in six innings. He got zero run support in that game, though, which shouldn’t be too much of a problem this time around.
The Royals were unable to complete the sweep at home against the Cleveland Indians as they were shut out in an 8-0 defeat yesterday. The Royals are now just 3-3 during their current home stand and 15-14 at home on the season.
KC’s anemic offense returned to form just one game after putting up a season-high 12 runs. Despite Indians starter Trevor Bauer exiting in the second inning, they were unable to get anything out of the Cleveland bullpen and were shut out for the fifth time this season.
That’s not particularly good news for Royals starter Ian Kennedy, who has been burned by poor run support this season. The Royals scored just nine runs in Kennedy’s first five starts on the season. The lefty’s form has quickly gone south after that, though, as he posted an 11.3 ERA in four starts in May.
Kennedy is coming off one of his worst starts of the season last week against the Detroit Tigers. He gave up five earned runs on four hits in only three innings in a 6-5 defeat. The Royals are just 2-7 in Kennedy’s nine starts this year.
Writer’s Prediction
The Astros (-144) offense carries them to win No. 11 as they rock the Royals, 8-2.
