The Houston Astros moved ever closer to their first playoff series win in 10 years with a thrilling 4-2 victory over the Kansas City Royals in Game 3 of their American League Division Series on Sunday. The Astros will look to end the series once and for all when they host the Royals at Minute Maid Park later today. It’s bound to be a classic with Yordano Ventura and Lance McCullers starting for Kansas City and Houston, respectively.
Who will emerge victorious in this critical matchup? Read on below for an in-depth breakdown of this pivotal clash and while you’re at it, you can check out our NLDS Game 3 previews here.
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Kansas City Royals vs. Houston Astros ALDS Game 4 Preview
Where: Minute Maid Park, Houston
When: Monday, October 12, 1:07 PM ET
Line: Kansas City Royals (+125) at Houston Astros (-135); total: 8.0 – view all MLB lines
TV Broadcast: FS1
Betting on the Kansas City Royals
Kansas City’s 95-win season is on the brink of going for naught as the Royals’ backs are now against the wall, trailing Houston in their American League Division Series, two games to one. Still, all hope is not lost for the reeling Royals, who will be sending Yordano Ventura to the mound today.
[sc:MLB240banner ]Ventura surrendered two runs in the first inning and another in the second before a nearly one-hour rain delay ended his Game 1 start. The Astros pulled off the victory in that contest, 5-2. Ventura will be looking for a much better performance this time around in this make-or-break Game 4. In 14 games pitched on the road this season, he is 6-3 with a 4.30 ERA.
He can’t do it all alone, though, and he needs the Royals’ batters to deliver some big hits as well today. Expected to lead the Kansas City offense in this crucial game is Ben Zobrist. He is hitting 5-of-12 this postseason with one RBI. Another player who’s expected to contribute for the Royals is Kendrys Morales. He is 4-of-11 in this series with two homers and two RBIs.
The Houston Astros grabbed a commanding 2-1 lead in the NLDS with a nerve-wracking 4-2 victory over the Kansas City Royals Sunday. Dallas Keuchel remained unbeaten at home this year, throwing seven gutsy innings to help the Astros record the important victory. He escaped numerous jams in Game 3, allowing five hits and one run with seven strikeouts.
The Astros’ pitching in this postseason has been simply incredible. They lead the American League in ERA in this year’s playoffs with a solid 2.31 clip. They have allowed just nine runs in 35 innings pitched. The pressure now is on Lance McCullers to produce another good start for the Astros in Game 4.
The 22-year-old went 6-7 with a 3.22 ERA in 22 starts after being called up from Class AA in May. McCullers will fancy his chances against the Royals in Game 4 as he has fared extremely well against them this season. He defeated Kansas City on June 29 in Houston, allowing just one run and four hits in seven innings in a 5-2 Astros victory. He struck out six and walked two in that win.
There’s bound to be some nerves, though, for the rookie who’s about to make his first postseason start. The onus then is on the Astros offense to provide some run support for the talented youngster. The Astros’ hitters have been lights out in this postseason thus far, scoring a major league-best 16 runs. One player who’s hitting the ball really well for Houston right now is Colby Rasmus. He is 5-of-10 this postseason with three homers, five RBIs and six walks.
