2 different probable KC Royals opponents emerge as MLB Playoffs take shape

Houston Astros

In the season Kansas City-Houston series, the home team won every game. Unfortunately for the Royals, a Wild Card series against Houston means a return trip to Minute Maid Park, where they were swept and outscored 21-9 in a four-game series at the end of August.

However, the games at Kauffman Stadium in April were the complete opposite. The Royals swept the Astros with a three-game run differential of +20 (28-8). Houston has the third-best run differential in the American League behind the Yankees and Royals. They are 10 games over .500 at home, while the Royals are one game under .500 on the road.

The Astros have made seven consecutive trips to the ALCS, and their lineup remains one of the most powerful in baseball. It includes former AL MVP Jose Altuve, Yordan Alvarez, Alex Bregman and Kyle Tucker. Alvarez ranks among the top-5 in the AL in most hitting categories, with 34 home runs and a .958 OPS.

The rotation is headlined by southpaw Framber Valdez (2.85) and right-hander Ronel Blanco (2.88) , who rank fourth and fifth in the AL in ERA. Spencer Arrighetti has 161 strikeouts in 136.2 innings pitched, and Josh Hader, a hard-throwing lefty, has converted 32 of 35 save opportunities, fanning 99 hitters in 67.1 innings.

Kyle Isbel hit a team-best .353 (6-for-17) against the Astros this season, while Michael Massey is a career .304 (7-for-23) versus Houston. Brady Singer posted a 2.45 ERA in 11.0 innings pitched with 10 strikeouts in two appearances.

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