This is a combination of betting on the Astros bats to wake up coupled with Brady Singer coming back to earth. Singer has been lights out through two starts, however I do not believe he has suddenly become an elite pitcher at this stage of his career, I.E. he is a major regression candidate. The Astros bats have yet to get going, they've been held under 4 runs in 9 of their 13 games played. I believe theyre able to get Singer early and prevent him from completing six innings.

The Kansas City Royals have now won six consecutive games. Their two wins against the Astros featured an extra inning victory, and taken advantage of a rookie making his first start in Spencer Arrighetti. Today, look for the Astros to get back on track with early runs off of Brady Singer. Take the road team Astros here.

This kid has a live bat and it's really taken to AL pitching since he got to KC. He has seen Hunter Brown twice; he has taken him deep twice. Brown can't get cute because Hunter Renfroe has seen him twice and homered once and Sal Perez has done the same. Pick your poison. Velazquez has the lesser pedigree but can do damage.

I'm not sure Brown trusts his stuff up here. KC sees him well and the Stros could use some length out of him and need to find out more than him, which means a super-quick hook probably not in order. In Browns career he has a 4.09 ERA in 1st INN, then balloons to 5.45 and 7.16. Has given up 20 bombs in 98 2/3 career IP in INN 1-3. We can get to 3 pretty quickly if this kid wants to put people on base (6 BB in 7 IP).

We've had success backing the Royals against the Astros the last two days, and we're going to stick with it in this matchup. Brady Singer has been excellent in his two starts this year while giving up one earned run in 13.1 innings with a 14:2 K:BB ratio, while Hunter Brown has yet to deliver on his upside while lasting just seven innings in his two starts with a 6.43 ERA and 8:6 K:BB ratio. With the market continuing to overrate this 4-9 Astros team and underrate this 8-4 Royals team, I'll take plus odds on Kansas City getting its seventh straight win.

The Astros' reputation must be giving them a pretty wide berth with the oddsmakers. It's not performance; at 4-9, Houston doesn't really deserve to be favored at the moment against a surging KC side that has won six straight. The pitching matchup doesn't seem too promising for Houston, either, with Hunter Brown struggling badly in his first two starts, posting a 6.43 ERA and whopping 2.57 WHIP. Meanwhile, Brady Singer is moving into early pole position in the AL Cy Young race, with an 0.68 ERA and 0.53 WHIP thru two starts. Play Royals on Money Line

The Royals have some serious splits against Hunter Brown, a top prospect who has been more a thrower than a pitcher at the MLB level. Royals playing with energy and momentum and I think Brady Singer has turned the corner for them as a starter. Stros just can't get it going and their pen looks way shaker than expected. We've been playing KC quite a bit and live their chances to win this ballgame '

Books keep giving us great Royals runline prices at home and I'll keep taking them. Feels like a tough spot for Houston at the end of a seven-game trip and not having had an off day since last Thursday. I think we see a key regular take a seat ahead of a home series this weekend vs. rival Texas. Royals starter Brady Singer always had the goods but never put it all together. So far he has in 2024 with one earned run and just five hits allowed in 13.1 innings.