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The Houston Astros are one game away from a historic four-game series sweep over the Kansas City Royals at Minute Maid Park. The home team has secured three solid wins after the Royals had swept them in three, in the reverse fixture back in April.
Houston faced three rough series before the current one, losing against the Boston Red Sox and Philadelphia Phillies while splitting a four-game series with the Baltimore Orioles. Their four-game streak, starting with a 10-0 victory over the Phillies, comes at the best possible moment, as they are now five games ahead in the AL West race.
The Royals who started the series with a chance to cut the lead on the Cleveland Guardians have fallen behind and will look to make a dent in Guardians' 2.5 game lead at the top of the AL Central standing.
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Astros vs. Royals: Game 4 Odds
Astros vs. Royals: Game 4 Where to Watch
The game will be played at Minute Maid Park from 1.10 p.m. local time. It will be broadcast live on the Bally Sports Network, Kansas City for Royals fans while Houston fans catch the game on the Space City Home Network.
Astros vs. Royals: Game 4 Prediction
The Royals definitely head into the series finale needing to regain some stability in their offense. They are hitting .238 in their last ten significantly lower than their .256 season's average so far this season. The Astros meanwhile have outscored their opponents by 17 runs in the same stretch.
Houston starter Ronel Blanco failed to earn an individual win in the month of August, recording a 4.07 ERA. But overall he still has a good stat line with a 9-6 record and 3.14 ERA and 1.08 WHIP, both of which are 11th best this season for all eligible pitchers. Blanco will be up against Royals' Alec Marsh, who is 7-7 with a 4.67 ERA this season. He has earned 16 hits and four walks in his last three starts.
Royals AL MVP candidate, Bobby Witt Jr. has hit just 1-12 this series. Salvador Perez has hit 12-38 with 7 extra-base hits and 9 RBIs in the last ten for Kansas City. For Houston, Jose Altuve and Yordan Alvarez remain the key to their offensive prowess.
