9th Oct - Royals vs Astros

The Houston Astros dealt the first blow in their American League match-up against the Kansas City Royals. They’ll look to take a commanding lead in the series when they meet again early on Friday.

Friday night’s match-up is a battle between two mid-season acquisitions, neither of which have quite panned out as well as hoped. Scott Kazmir has struggled for the Astros going 2-6 with 4.17 ERA in 13 starts. Meanwhile, Johnny Cueto endured a torrid spell through August and early September. He’s 3-1 in his last four starts, but it hasn’t been plain sailing for a player who was expected to be an ace on this staff.

The Astros coped well with the occasion in game one and things can move very quickly in these early round series. The Royals desperately need “good Cueto” in a pretty crucial tie. Leading hitters Mike Moustakas and Lorenzo Cain are a combined 1 for 17 against Kazmir this season.

Three Reasons for Betting Tips

1. Royals find a way

We believe quite firmly in this ball club, they have good balance and we believe that Kansas City just have to find some way to be successful in this match-up after escaping from the in-form pitchers in Houston’s rotation.

2. Cain and Moustakas hit well

We think their respective struggles against Kazmir will look more like an aberration after tonight’s match-ups. Both men will find a way to make contact.

3. Cueto’s slump in the past

He wasn’t necessarily convincing over the stretch run, but we have to believe that Cueto’s slump is now behind him. He’ll get through six or seven strong innings tonight.