The Houston Astros and the Kansas City Royals meet Friday in MLB action from Kauffman Stadium. We will look at this from a betting perspective and determine the best bets for this game. Here’s a Houston Astros vs. Kansas City Royals prediction.
Starting Pitching Matchup
The Houston Astros will send out Tatsuya Imai for the start here and Imai is 3-3 with a 5.24 ERA and 36 strikeouts this season. This will be Imai’s first career start against the Royals. Luinder Avila will start for the Royals and is 1-2 with a 4.02 ERA and 28 strikeouts this season. This will be Avila’s first career start against the Astros.
Houston Astros Recap
The Houston Astros come into this game looking to bounce back from their 3-2 loss at the hands of the Angels last time out to sit at 31-39 this season. After this series, the Astros will head home for a series against the Detroit Tigers.
Astros Drop Back-To-Back Games
Yordan Alvarez has 78 hits with 13 doubles, 22 home runs and 48 RBIs while Christian Walker has 64 hits with 13 doubles, 16 home runs and 48 RBIs on the year. Jose Altuve’s chipped in 42 hits with 10 doubles, 5 home runs and 13 RBIs and Isaac Paredes has 54 hits with 12 doubles, 9 home runs and 33 RBIs. Cam Smith also has 50 hits with 10 doubles, 7 home runs and 26 RBIs.
Kansas City Royals Recap
The Kansas City Royals come into this game looking to rebound from their 4-2 loss at the hands of the Rangers in their last game to sit at 28-41 this season. After this series, the Royals will head on the road for a game against the Nationals.
Royals Lose Consecutive Games
Kyle Isbel has 40 hits with 3 home runs and 11 RBIs. Jac Caglianone has 58 hits with 11 doubles, 8 home runs, 19 RBIs and a triple while Bobby Witt Jr. has 76 hits with 17 doubles, 9 home runs and 27 RBIs and Vinnie Pasquantino’s added 55 hits with 10 doubles, 2 triples, 6 home runs and 30 RBIs on the year. Maikel Garcia also has 63 hits with 15 doubles, 3 home runs and 24 RBIs this season. Carter Jensen’s also chipped in 44 hits with 11 doubles, 8 home runs and 31 RBIs this season.
Houston Astros @ Kansas City Royals Betting Trends: June 12, 2026
- Probable Starting Pitcher: Luinder Avila Record this season: 1-2 ERA: 4.02
- Home Record: 0-2
- Last 5 against Astros: –
Why the Kansas City Royals will win
- The Astros have lost each of their last seven games as favorites after going to extra innings.
- The Royals have won five of their last six games as home underdogs against the Astros.
- The Astros have failed to cover the run line in each of their last 12 games as favorites after going to extra innings.
- The Royals have covered the run line in five of their last six games against the Astros.
- The Astros have lost the first inning in each of their last three games as favorites against AL Central opponents.
- The Astros have trailed after 5 innings in each of their last seven games as road favorites.
- The Astros have trailed after 3 innings in each of their last four games.
- Probable Starting Pitcher: Tatsuya Imai Record this season: 3-3 ERA: 5.24
- Road Record: 2-1
- Last 5 against Royals: –
Why the Houston Astros will win
- The Royals have lost each of their last nine night games against American League opponents following a loss.
- The road team has won four of the Royals’ last five games.
- The Royals have failed to cover the run line in each of their last 10 night games against American League opponents following a loss.
- The Astros have covered the run line in each of their last five road games against American League opponents following a road loss.
- The Royals have trailed after 3 innings in six of their last seven games against AL West opponents.
- The Royals have trailed after 5 innings in five of their last six home games.
Total Runs Facts
- Twelve of the Astros’ last 13 games after going to extra innings have gone OVER the total runs line.
- Each of the Royals’ last six games as underdogs have gone UNDER the total runs line.
- The ‘Inning 1 UNDER 0.5 runs’ market has hit in nine of the last 10 games between the Astros and Royals.
- The ‘Inning 1 OVER 0.5 runs’ market has hit in eight of the Astros’ last nine night games against American League opponents.
Kansas City Royals Player Prop Facts
- Michael Massey has hit a home run in three of his last eight appearances after playing the previous day.
- Starling Marte has recorded at least one hit in each of his last 18 home appearances against AL West opponents that held a losing record.
- Bobby Witt Jr. ranks T2nd in the league in Steals (24) this season.
Houston Astros Player Prop Facts
- Yordan Alvarez has hit a home run in four of his last five appearances after not playing the previous day.
- Christian Vazquez has recorded at least one hit in each of his last seven road appearances against the Royals after not playing the previous day.
- Yordan Alvarez ranks 1st amongst qualified players for Slugging Percentage (.636) this season.
Matchup/League Facts
- The Royals rank 28th in the league for runs scored this season (269).
- The Royals rank T27th in the league for RBIs this season (259).
- The Astros rank 30th in the league for walks allowed this season (329).
- The Astros rank 29th in the league for ERA this season (4.85).
Houston Astros vs. Kansas City Royals Prediction
I’m on the Royals in this one. Avila’s been solid in his limited action and I think he pitches well here against an Astros lineup that continues to be hit or miss. Imai for me has been pitching above his pay grade, and I think that the Royals get to him here and open the series with a win.