Astros vs. Royals Prediction, Computer Picks, Odds & Pitching Matchup 7/6/2022

The Houston Astros (53-27), led by Yordan Alvarez on a two-game home run streak, are -277 favorites on the moneyline to defeat MJ Melendez (homers in two straight contests) and the Kansas City Royals (29-50). First pitch is at 8:10 PM ET on Wednesday, live from Minute Maid Park. Houston’s Cristian Javier gets the start, and he’ll go against Kansas City’s Brad Keller.

Astros vs. Royals Spread and Betting Line

Computer Predictions for Astros vs. Royals

Our best bet is the Royals on the moneyline at +226 after looking at all of the key statistics and trends for this matchup. Our computer predicts the scoring will over the total of 8.5 runs.

Our computer pick: Kansas City Royals (+226) and Over (8.5)

Astros vs. Royals Game Info

• Houston Astros probable starting pitcher: Cristian Javier
• Kansas City Royals probable starting pitcher: Brad Keller
• Game Day: Wednesday, July 6, 2022
• Game Time: 8:10 PM ET
• Location: Houston, Texas
• Stadium: Minute Maid Park

Houston Astros vs Kansas City Royals Pitching Matchup

Astros Starter Cristian Javier

• Javier gets the start for the Astros, his 12th of the season. He is 6-3 with a 2.58 ERA and 95 strikeouts through 69 2/3 innings pitched.
• His most recent appearance came on Saturday against the Los Angeles Angels, when the righty went 7 2/3 innings, surrendering one earned run while giving up only one hit.
• The 25-year-old has a 2.58 ERA and 12.3 strikeouts per nine innings in 15 games this season, while giving up a batting average of .175 to opposing hitters.
• Javier is trying to claim his third quality start in a row in this game.
• Javier is looking for his fifth straight appearance lasting five or more innings. He averages 4.2 frames per appearance on the mound.
• The opposing Royals offense has the 21st-ranked slugging percentage (.377) and is 25th in MLB play with 67 home runs. It has a collective .240 batting average, and is 21st in MLB with 639 total hits and 27th in MLB action scoring 309 runs.

Royals Starter Brad Keller

• The Royals will send Keller (3-9) to the mound for his 16th start this season.
• The right-hander allowed five hits in 6 2/3 scoreless innings pitched against the Detroit Tigers on Friday.
• The 26-year-old has pitched in 15 games this season with an ERA of 4.24, a 2 strikeout to walk ratio and a WHIP of 1.329.
• He has eight quality starts in 15 chances this season.
• In 15 starts this season, Keller has lasted five or more innings 11 times, with an average of 5.2 innings per appearance.
• The Astros rank 14th in MLB with 359 runs scored this season. They have a .241 batting average this campaign with 118 home runs (third in the league).
• Among qualified pitchers this campaign, the 26-year-old’s 4.24 ERA ranks 52nd, 1.329 WHIP ranks 53rd, and 5.9 K/9 ranks 61st.

Astros Betting Picks & Insights

• This season, the Astros have won 46 out of the 65 games, or 70.8%, in which they’ve been favored.
• Houston has played as a favorite of -277 or more once this season and lost that game.
• The sportsbooks’ moneyline implies a 73.5% chance of a victory for the Astros.
• Houston and its opponents have hit the over in 28 of their 81 games with a total this season.
• The Astros are 44-37-0 against the spread in their 81 chances this season.

Royals Betting Picks & Insights

• The Royals have been chosen as underdogs in 69 games this year and have walked away with the win 26 times (37.7%) in those games.
• Kansas City has yet to play a game this season with longer moneyline odds than +226.
• The moneyline set for this matchup implies the Royals have a 30.7% chance of walking away with the win.
• Kansas City and their opponents have gone over in 39 of their 82 games with a total set by sportsbooks this season.
• The Royals have an against the spread record of 36-46-0 in 82 games with a line this season.

Astros Leaders & Batting Stats

• Alvarez’s 25 round-trippers and 58 RBI both lead the Astros, in addition to his team-high .313 average.
• Alvarez ranks second in homers and seventh in RBI among all hitters in the majors.
• Alvarez carries a three-game hitting streak into this matchup. In his last five games he is hitting .222 with a double, two home runs, five walks and two RBI.
• Kyle Tucker has 11 doubles, 16 home runs and 38 walks while hitting .259.
• Tucker is 23rd in home runs and ninth in RBI among all MLB hitters this year.
• Tucker heads into this game looking for his third game in a row with a hit. In his last five games he is batting .316 with a home run and five RBI.
• Alex Bregman has 17 doubles, 10 home runs and 46 walks while batting .244.
• Jose Altuve is hitting .278 with 15 doubles, 16 home runs and 29 walks.
• Altuve has recorded at least one hit in five games in a row. During his last five outings he is hitting .429 with two doubles, a home run, three walks and three RBI.

Royals Leaders & Batting Stats

• Whit Merrifield is hitting .234 with 18 doubles, a triple, three home runs and 27 walks, while getting on base at a rate of .287.
• Merrifield ranks 252nd in home runs and 101st in RBI among all hitters in the majors.
• Merrifield has collected a hit in five straight games. During his last five outings he is hitting .421 with two doubles, a triple, four walks and an RBI.
• Bobby Witt Jr. has hit 12 home runs with 42 runs batted in, leading the team in both categories.
• Witt Jr. is 51st overall in home runs and 43rd in RBI this year.
• Andrew Benintendi paces the Royals with a team-high batting average of .313.
• Hunter Dozier is hitting .263 with 16 doubles, two triples, eight home runs and 21 walks.