Houston Astros vs. Kansas City Royals: Picks, Predictions, Odds and Player Props

The first month of the 2025 MLB season has featured plenty of compelling matchups and the action continues on the diamond this weekend with a matchup in the American League between Houston Astros and Kansas City Royals on Saturday.

Both of these teams are expected to be in contention in their respective divisions all season long and Friday’s series opener was a low-scoring affair, as the Royals picked up a 2-0 victory in a game that featured just 12 combined hits, with only three coming from the visitors.

Saturday’s matchup is one that features a solid matchup of starting pitchers against a pair of lineups that could struggle a bit in this one.

Will the Astros bounce back and even the series, or will the Royals rack up a sixth straight win and secure a series victory at home? Let’s get into the odds, plus our expert’s betting picks and predictions for this contest.

Houston Astros vs. Kansas City Royals betting picks and predictions

Astros ML (-135)

The first game of this series was a pitcher’s duel from start to finish, as there were just two runs combined between these teams in Friday’s matchup.

In Saturday’s meeting, our expert is trusting the veteran-laden Astros as road favorites, and it all starts with who is taking the mound for Houston in Kansas City.

Framber Valdez is getting the ball for the visitors and, while his numbers aren’t perfect (4.50 ERA, 47.5% hard-hit rate, .278 expected batting average), he has shown the capability to shut down hitters on elite lineups, as we saw in his excellent outings against the Mets and Padres this season.

The Royals lineup is a great opponent for Valdez, as Kansas City ranks inside the bottom five across the league in runs scored, runs batted in, walks generated, on-base percentage, slugging and OPS.

It wouldn’t shock our expert if the veteran left-hander put together his third quality start in his last four outings on Saturday.

As for the other starter, Michael Wacha will take the mound for Kansas City and, while his numbers are decent, he usually can only be counted on for a four or five inning outing.

When comparing the bullpens, Houston’s is clearly superior, which is another feather in the cap for the visitors.

Ultimately, our expert is backing the Astros on the money line at -135 to even the series and head into the rubber match on Sunday.

Under 8 (-110)

This pitching matchup is one that immediately points our expert in the direction of the under, especially since we’ve already had an under in the opening game of this series.

While our expert isn’t sold on Wacha’s ability to toss more than five innings on Saturday, he should be able to hold the Astros to three earned runs or fewer, something that he has done in each of his starts this season.

It certainly helps matters that the Astros offense is pretty middling against right-handed pitching (.232 batting average, .648 OPS), and the Royals offense is even worse on the other side (.222 batting average, .287 OBP, .612 OPS).

Both starters should do just enough, and our expert is projecting strong outings from a pair of rested bullpens in this matchup, which also aids our handicap of the under.

All things considered, the Under 8 at -110 is our game totals pick on this AL matchup on Saturday.

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Houston Astros vs. Kansas City Royals odds

Houston Astros	-135 ML
Kansas City Royals	+115 ML
Run Line	Astros -1.5
Total	Under 8

Houston Astros vs. Kansas City Royals player props

Player Home Run Odds

Yordan Alvarez (HOU Astros)	+475
Christian Walker (HOU Astros)	+500
Yainer Diaz (KC Royals)	+700
Salvador Perez (KC Royals)	+575
Bobby Witt Jr. (KC Royals)	+700
Hunter Renfroe (KC Royals)	+875

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This article was written by a partner sports writer via Spotlight Sports Group. All odds displayed on this page were correct at the time of writing and are subject to withdrawal or change at any time.