Astros Visit Royals for Game 1 of ALDS

The Houston Astros will visit the Kansas City Royals on Thursday night for the first game of their best of five American League Division Series. The winner of this series will play the winner of the other ALDS between the Texas Rangers and Toronto Blue Jays for the AL Pennant.

Kansas City is favored in Game 1 at -137, while Houston is sitting on +127. The over/under run total for Game 1 is currently at 7.5.

Kansas City begins its defense of the AL Pennant while Houston is attempting to be the surprise team of the postseason.

The Royals were wildcard entrants last season and reached the World Series before losing to the San Francisco Giants. Houston is looking to do the same after winning its play-in game on Tuesday over the New York Yankees.

Over a four-year period, Houston lost on average 104 games per season, before they turned things around this season.

The Astros are very young, but that could help them as they do not yet know the pressures of the postseason.

Kansas City was expected to win the AL Pennant at the start of the season, but face a tough opening series against Houston and if successful will face one of the top 2 teams in baseball in scoring in Toronto or Texas.

In Game 1 on Thursday, Houston will send Collin McHugh to the mound. The Astros right-hander was 19-7 during the season with an ERA of 3.89. The Royals will counter with Yordano Ventura. The Kansas City right-hander was 13-8 with an ERA of 4.08 during the regular season.

Eric Hosmer the first baseman for Kansas City had a batting average of .351 with a pair of home runs last year during the postseason.

Colby Ramsus an outfielder for Houston homered during the wild card game on Tuesday and has hit a home run 7 times in his past 13 games.

Wade Davis a right-handed pitcher for Kansas City saved 17 of his 18 save opportunities during the season and will be the closer for the remainder of the season as Greg Holland the normal closer is out with an injury.

The UNDER has cashed in 4 of the past 5 games between the two teams played in Kansas City. The Astros have won 7 of the past 9 meetings between the two teams.

Prediction: Game 1 – Kansas City 4-2, Series – Royals in four