Houston at Kansas City

Houston has been a valuable go-against all season, and here we have them at another reasonable go-against price. Houston has lost three in a row with a bad offense, a worse pitching staff with bad defense in the field. They've scored five runs the last three games and gave up 14! Houston righty Lucas Harrell (4-7, 4.97 ERA) has walked too many batters (37 in 70+ innings) and allowed 82 hits -- and he's getting worse with a 1-2 record and a 6.28 ERA his last three starts. The Astros are 1-6 in Harrell's last seven starts and on a 45-105 run overall. The Kansas City Royals have won four in a row and sit 6 1/2 games back in the American League Central. This KC offense is 12th in baseball in batting average, and won 7-2 yesterday over Houston with 10 hits, while the Astros made three errors in the field. The Royals are 4-0 as home chalk, and 5-2 against a right-handed starter. Luis Mendoza has a 3.00 ERA his last three starts, and the Astros are 2-5 in the last seven meetings, including 1-5 in the last six meetings in Kansas City. Play the KC Royals.