The Kansas City Royals have to feel like they are looking themselves in the mirror when they look across the diamond into the dugout of the Houston Astros. These 'Stros have refused to quit no matter the situation here in these playoffs, and just as was the case for KC in Game 3 of the ALDS, Houston gets to use its ace in its first home game of the postseason and is a huge favorite as a result.
ODDS ANALYSIS
Thanks to the presence of Dallas Keuchel on the mound, the Astros opened up as monster -190 favorites in Game 3 of the ALDS. It's a tremendous turnaround from the fact that Houston was a big underdog in both games at Kauffman Stadium.
The total is again very low at just a flat 7.
PITCHING MATCHUP
Keuchel was awesome against the Yankees on three days of rest in the AL Wild Card Game, tossing six scoreless frames with just three hits and a walk allowed.
Now, he's back on the mound for the first time here at home in the playoffs, a place where he has been untouchable. Keuchel went 15-0 with a 1.46 ERA here at Minute Maid Park this year.
The one time Kansas City went to Houston to face Keuchel this year, it managed just seven hits in eight scoreless innings.
Edinson Volquez has been here and done this before in the playoffs, and the fact that he led the Royals to a 22-11 record in his 33 starts this year still makes it plausible that they can win this game and take the 2-1 series lead.
Last year in the playoffs, Volquez allowed five runs in five innings in his one start while he was a member of the Pirates, but the Royals are hoping for better this time around.
QUOTE TO NOTE
"Just to let it slip away late, it was kind of a downer today. It's one of those things where we didn't get it, so move on. You can't have anything lingering into the next day. But there's definitely a bitter taste." – Astros reliever Tony Sipp, who is an anchor in a bullpen which allowed the game-winning runs to score against it in Game 2 of the ALDS
SITUATIONAL BETTING
So far, so good for the newly reworked Kansas City bullpen. Ryan Madson stepped into the eighth inning role with no issues, and Wade Davis worked a perfect ninth in place of the injured Greg Holland in Game 2 of this series. The Royals aren't quite as deep in their pen as they were a few weeks ago, but they still have more than enough to shut down games.
PROP TALK
We still love us some Mighty Mouse in this game. Jose Altuve might have gone 0-for-5 in Game 2, but he had at least one hit in seven straight games prior to that, including three multi-hit games in four tries. He'll again be at the top of the order for Houston in Game 3, and we suspect he'll again be on base.
ANALYSIS AND PREDICTION
Common logic suggests that the Astros are in the driver's seat in this game, but we aren't all that sure that is going to be the case. Volquez might not have the best history in the world in the playoffs, but he is a strong pitcher and has a good team in front of him as well.
If the Royals can figure out how to just scratch a run or two across against Keuchel, we think they've got a great chance of winning this game.
Royals 3, Astros 2
The baseball betting odds for this Sunday game will first be available at BookMaker Sportsbook. BookMaker is going to have multiple betting options available for this televised baseball matchup. Live wagering during commercials offers an adjusted moneyline, individual inning run totals and next hitter results. Log in and start gambling during the game now!
Need to fund your account before the big game but don't have your computer? No problem! BookMaker Sportsbook now offers a mobile betting cashier so you can deposit money directly from your smartphone or tablet. Don't miss out on getting paid because you couldn't bet. Click here and deposit at BookMaker now! The duel between the Kansas City Royals and the Houston Astros will take place Sunday, October 11, 2015 at 1:00 p.m. ET at Minute Maid Park. Catch the action live on FOX Sports 1.
