<p>The 39-36 Houston Astros look to sweep the 38-35 Kansas City Royals when they play the final of a three game set in Kansas City, Missouri today June 26, 2016. The first pitch is scheduled to be thrown at 2:10 PM ET at Kauffman Stadium.</p>
<p>In Game 2 of this three game series, the Astros beat the Royals 13-5. Houston scored 13 runs on 16 hits while the Royals managed five runs on 15 hits.</p>
<p>The Astros are red-hot riding a seven-game winning streak and they have scored 13 runs in each of the first two games in this series. With their solid play in the last few weeks Houston has moved into 2nd place in the AL West, but they still trail the Texas Rangers by nine games. They rank 15th in runs scored and 11th in team ERA. In their seven-game win streak the Astros have outscored their opponents 53-24.</p>
<p>The Royals have dropped four in a row and they are in 2nd place in the AL Central five games back of the Cleveland Indians, who have won eight in a row. Kansas City ranks tied for 24th in the Majors in runs scored and 15th in team ERA.</p>
<h2>
Pitching Match Up</h2>
<p>Houston: Doug Fister (8-3, 3.21 ERA)</p>
<p>Kansas City: Ian Kennedy (5-6, 4.19 ERA)</p>
<p>Doug Fister goes for the Astros today and in his last outing he gave up two earned runs in seven innings in a 10-7 win over the L.A. Angels. Since losing three straight starts with Fister on the hill the in April the Astros have won his last 10 outings. In that span he has not given up more than three earned runs once. The Astros are 5-0 in Fister’s last 5 road starts and 7-0 in their last seven games with him getting start facing a team that has a winning record.</p>
<p>Ian Kennedy gets the starting nod for the Royals and in his last outing he gave up two earned runs in four innings in a 2-1 loss to the New York Mets. The Royals have lost three of his last four starts and in that span he has gone 21 innings and has allowed 18 earned runs. However, they Royals have won four of Kennedy’s last five home starts.</p>
<p>Here are some additional handicapping angles to ponder:</p>
<p>These teams have split the six games facing each other this season.</p>
<p>In the last 8 games between these teams the Over record is 5-2-1.</p>
<p>In the last 4 games between the teams in Kansas City the total has gone Over every time.</p>
<p>This season the Royals are 25-10 at home and the Astros are 17-21 on the road.</p>
<h2>
STRAIGHT UP / OVER/UNDER / RUN LINE RECORDS</h2>
<p>Houston Astros: 39-36 SU / O/U 35-35 / Run Line W/L 34-41</p>
<p>Kansas City Royals: 38-35 SU / O/U 33-36 / Run Line W/L 40-33</p>
<h2>
Houston at Kansas City Key Betting Trends</h2>
<p>HOU is 4-0 in their last 4 road games.</p>
<p>HOU is 22-8 in their last 30 overall.</p>
<p>HOU has an Under record of 12-4 in their last 16 games.</p>
<p>KC is 36-15 in their last 51 home games.</p>
<p>KC is 0-4 in their last 4 overall.</p>
<p>KC has an Over record of 7-2 in their last 9 games.</p>
<h2>
Key Player Injuries</h2>
<p>ASTROS</p>
<p>[SS] 06/23/2016 - Carlos Correa probable Friday vs. Kansas City Royals ( Foot )</p>
<p>ROYALS</p>
<p>[LF] 05/23/2016 - Alex Gordon 15-day DL (5/22) ( Wrist )</p>
<p>[3B] 05/26/2016 - Mike Moustakas 60-day DL (5/23); out for season ( Knee )</p>
<p>[P] 05/12/2016 - Kris Medlen 15-day DL (5/11) ( Shoulder )</p>
<p>[P] 03/31/2016 - Jason Vargas 60-day DL (3/15) ( Elbow )</p>
<p>[P] 04/04/2016 - Tim Collins 60-day DL; out for season ( Elbow )</p>
<p>[P] 04/10/2016 - Mike Minor 60-day DL (3/15) ( Shoulder )</p>