Kansas City Royals vs Houston Astros Prediction 5/13/25 MLB Picks

In this article, we will formulate a Royals vs Astros prediction for this MLB game on Tuesday, May 13, at Daikin Park in Houston, Texas. Let’s take a look at the prediction for this MLB matchup.

Kansas City Royals Betting Preview

The Kansas City Royals (25-18, 9-11 Away) were on an excellent run of eight series wins before losing to the Boston Red Sox. Still, the Royals quickly returned to winning ways in Game 1 of the series against the Houston Astros on the road. In Monday’s 7-5 victory, Jonathan India and Bobby Witt Jr. led the team with two RBI apiece, while Michael Wacha got the win after allowing two runs on eight hits with three strikeouts and two walks across 6.1 innings of work.

This year, the Royals average 3.49 runs per game (26th in the MLB) on a .243/.301/.361 triple-slash. When it comes to pitching, the Royals’ staff has a 3.01 ERA (2nd) and 1.18 WHIP (5th). Vinnie Pasquantino leads the Royals with a .223 batting average, six home runs, and 25 RBI this season.

The projected starting pitcher for the Royals is Kris Bubic, who is 4-2 in eight starts this season, with a 1.69 ERA and 1.10 WHIP in 48.0 innings.

Houston Astros Betting Preview

The Houston Astros (20-20, 13-9 Home) bounced back from series defeats to the White Sox and Brewers with a win against the Cincinnati Reds at home. Against the Royals in Game 1 of the current series, the Astros were 7-0 down after the opening three innings, and although they scored five runs before the final inning, the visitors did secure a 7-5 victory. Ryan Guston took the loss after allowing seven runs on seven hits with two strikeouts and three walks in 2.1 innings.

This season, the Astros average 4.20 runs per game (16th in the MLB) on a .251/.324/.377 triple-slash. When it comes to pitching, the Astros’ staff has a 3.53 ERA (8th) and 1.15 WHIP (3rd). Yainer Diaz leads the Astros with a .244 batting average, four home runs, and 21 RBI this season.

Framber Valdez will take the mound for the Astros on Tuesday. The 31-year-old left-hander has a 2-4 record in eight starts this year with a 3.94 ERA and 1.19 WHIP in 48.0 innings.

Total Runs Facts

• Each of the Astros’ last eight games as favorites against American League opponents have gone OVER the total runs line.
• Ten of the Royals’ last 12 night games against American League opponents have gone UNDER the total runs line.
• The ‘Inning 1 UNDER 0.5 runs’ market has hit in each of the Royals’ last 10 road games against AL West opponents.
• The ‘Inning 1 UNDER 0.5 runs’ market has hit in each of the last five games between the Royals and Astros at Daikin Park.

Matchup/League Facts

• The Astros are one of only four teams in the league to rank top 10 in both strikeouts and walks allowed this season.
• The Astros rank 5th in the league for strikeouts against this season (316).
• The Royals rank 3rd in the league for strikeouts against this season (298).
• The Royals rank 3rd in the league for runs allowed this season (142).

Royals vs Astros Prediction

The teams have traded wins in the last couple of years, each recording five in the previous ten H2H encounters. I was surprised by 12 combined runs in Game 1, as I expected a low-scoring affair. I am going with Under again in this one because of the pitching matchup. Kris Bubic is one of the best pitchers in the AL; he registered three shutouts in his last three starts, including two in a row, while he allowed a .209 BA in 43 at-bats against Houston. Also, the Astros are not very good against southpaws, having a .228 BA in 184 at-bats this year. Framber Valdez, on the other hand, allowed nine runs in his last four starts, and allowed a .165 BA in 115 at-bats against Kansas City. The Royals are also not great against lefties this year – a .235 BA in 281 at-bats. Back the Under.

Oliver Zivic's Pick: Under 7.5