Royals-Astros Lines Preview

The Houston Astros will be fighting to snap a losing streak on Thursday when they take on the Kansas City Royals at Minute Maid Park. Righthander Brian Bannister will take the mound for the Royals to start this game. Bannister is 5-4 this season with a 3.77 ERA. Starting this game for the Astros will be Brian Moehler. The righthander has a 6.43 ERA to go along with a 4-4 record this season. Oddsmakers currently have the Astros listed as 115-moneyline favorites versus the Royals, while the game's total has not yet been posted. Miguel Olivo hit a solo home run to give the Royals a 4-3 victory over the Astros in 11 innings on Wednesday, as +155 underdogs. The game's seven runs went UNDER the posted over/under (8.5). Darin Erstad hit a two-run homer to lift the Royals. Joakim Soria earned the win, and John Bale tossed a scoreless 11th to earn the save. David DeJesus had three hits and drove in one run to lead the Astros. Jeff Fulchino gave up the winning run and suffered the loss on the mound. Current streak: Kansas City has won 2 straight games. Houston has lost 2 straight games. Team records: Kansas City: 31-39 SU Houston: 32-37 SU Kansas City most recently: When playing on Thursday are 3-7 Before playing Pittsburgh are 6-4 After playing Houston are 4-6 After a win are 4-6 Houston most recently: When playing on Thursday are 4-6 Before playing Detroit are 6-3 After playing Kansas City are 5-5 After a loss are 8-2 A few trends to consider: Kansas City is 5-1 SU in its last 6 games when playing Houston Kansas City is 4-1 SU in its last 5 games when playing on the road against Houston Kansas City is 2-5 SU in its last 7 games Kansas City is 5-14 SU in its last 19 games on the road Houston is 1-4 SU in its last 5 games when playing at home against Kansas City Houston is 1-5 SU in its last 6 games when playing Kansas City Next up: Kansas City at Pittsburgh, Friday, June 26 Houston home to Detroit, Friday, June 26