Astros vs Royals Prediction 9/17/26 MLB Picks Today

In this article we will formulate an Astros vs Royals prediction for this MLB game on Thursday, September 17th at Daikin Park in Houston, Texas. Let’s take a look at the prediction for this MLB matchup. 

Houston Astros Betting Preview

The Houston Astros are 76-76 this season after they split the first two games by scores of 4-2 and 2-5. In game two, Houston allowed the first five runs in the game, but did score once in the eighth and once in the ninth in the loss. The Astros recorded eight hits and they committed one error in the game, while they were led by Diaz, who went 2-4 with one home run and one RBI. Javier allowed five hits and two earned runs over 5.1 innings for the loss, while De Los Santos allowed two earned runs in relief. Prior to this series, Houston lost all three against the Rays, but did win two out of three against the Phillies before that. 

This season, Houston has a 4.53 ERA with a 1.35 WHIP and a .238 opponent batting average, while they have scored 675 runs with a .239 batting average and a .313 on base percentage. Yordan Alvarez has led the Astros with 39 home runs and 98 RBIs, while Christian Walker has added 25 home runs and 80 RBIs. The projected starting pitcher for Houston is Miguel Ullola, who is 0-0 with a 3.38 ERA and a 0.75 WHIP over 8.0 innings pitched this season. 

Kansas City Royals Betting Preview

The Kansas City Royals are 67-85 this year after they won game two by a score of 5-2 on Wednesday. Kansas City took the lead in the fourth inning and they added three runs in the eighth to get the win. The Royals recorded eight hits in the game and they were led by Rave, who went 1-4 with one home run and one RBI. Lynch IV allowed two hits and zero earned runs over 5.0 innings, while Gose picked up a hold. Prior to this series, Kansas City lost two out of three against the Red Sox and two out of three against the Diamondbacks. 

This season, Kansas City has a 4.61 ERA with a 1.39 WHIP and a .258 opponent batting average, while they have scored 641 runs with a .245 batting average and a .315 on base percentage. Jac Caglianone has led the Royals with 23 home runs and 70 RBIs, while Bobby Witt has added 18 home runs and 54 RBIs. The projected starting pitcher for Kansas City is Seth Lugo, who is 7-8 with a 4.99 ERA and a 1.45 WHIP over 164.0 innings pitched this year. 

Why the Houston Astros will win

• The Astros have won each of their last six games against AL Central opponents following a loss.
• The Royals have lost four of their last five games following a win.
• The Astros have covered the run line in each of their last seven night games following a loss.
• The Royals have failed to cover the run line in four of their last five games following a win.
• The Astros have led after 3 innings in three of their last four home night games.
• The Royals have lost the first inning in three of their last four night games against AL West opponents.
• The Royals have trailed after 5 innings in three of their last four games.

Why the Kansas City Royals will win

• The Astros have lost seven of their last eight games after playing the previous day.
• The Royals have won eight of their last 10 games as underdogs against the Astros following a win.
• The Royals have covered the run line in each of their last nine night games against the Astros following a win.
• The Astros have failed to cover the run line in each of their last seven Thursday night home games.
• The Royals have led after 5 innings in four of their last five games at Daikin Park.

Total Runs Facts

• Each of the Royals’ last 10 games have gone UNDER the total runs line.
• Each of the Astros’ last eight home games have gone UNDER the total runs line.
• There has been no run scored during the first inning in eight of the Royals’ last nine games at Daikin Park.
• There has been no run scored during the first inning in eight of the Astros’ last nine night games at Daikin Park.

Houston Astros Player Prop Facts

• Jeremy Pena has recorded two or more hits in each of the Astros’ last six games as favorites against the Royals.
• Nelson Velazquez has hit a home run in seven of his 12 previous home appearances against AL Central opponents that held a losing record.
• Yordan Alvarez ranks 1st amongst qualified players for Slugging Percentage (.594) this season.

Kansas City Royals Player Prop Facts

• Michael Massey has hit a home run in four of the Royals’ last six road games against AL West opponents.
• Michael Massey has recorded at least one hit in each of his last eight appearances after playing the previous day.
• Bobby Witt Jr. ranks T2nd in the league in Steals (42) this season.

Matchup/League Facts

• The Astros rank 30th in the league for steals this season (45).
• The Astros rank 29th in the league for walks allowed this season (614).
• The Royals rank T1st in the league for doubles this season (272).
• The Royals rank 28th in the league for strikeouts this season (1100).

Astros vs Royals Prediction 

Kansas City snapped their small losing streak with a win on Wednesday night, but they have scored two runs or fewer in three of their last four games. The Royals are 28-49 on the road this year, while the Astros are 38-39 at home. Houston has lost four of their last five games and they are tied with Texas in the AL West. The Astros are starting Ullola, who will be an opener, while Lugo has allowed 2, 3, and 9 earned runs in his last three outings. Take the Astros to win here.