Houston @ Kansas City preview
Kauffman Stadium
Last Meeting ( May 22, 2013 ) Kansas City 1, Houston 3
The Kansas City Royals attempt to continue their recent winning ways at home on Friday, when they host the Houston Astros in the opener of their three-game series. Kansas City ended its club-record 11-game losing streak at Kauffman Stadium with a 4-1 triumph over the Minnesota Twins on Wednesday and made it two in a row with a 7-3 victory the following night. The Royals have struggled overall, however, losing 22 of their last 30 games.
Houston was grounded in its home series against the Baltimore Orioles, losing two of three after putting together a season-high six-game winning streak. All of the victories came on the road, where the Astros return for another six-game trek. Houston lost 30 of its first 40 contests but has gone 12-9 since.
TV: 8:10 p.m. ET, Comcast SportsNet Houston, Fox Sports Kansas City
PITCHING MATCHUP: Astros RH Jordan Lyles (3-1, 4.30 ERA) vs. Royals RH James Shields (2-6, 2.83)
Lyles is coming off a road victory over the Los Angeles Angels on Sunday, when he allowed two runs and six hits over 5 2/3 innings. The 22-year-old, who has yielded two runs or fewer in each of his last four starts, has not lost since being tagged for eight runs and 11 hits in four frames by Texas on May 12. Lyles evened his career record against Kansas City to 1-1 when he held the Royals to one run in six innings on May 22.
Shields is looking to halt a personal four-game losing streak. The veteran is winless over his last six starts, although he allowed more than three runs only once in that span and yielded a total of one run over 15 innings in a pair of no-decisions. Shields was outdueled by Lyles on May 22 despite giving up just two runs in seven frames.
WALK-OFFS
1. Houston 2B Jose Altuve missed Thursday's game with a groin injury.
2. Kansas City's Billy Butler owns a career .313 average at home, where he has recorded nine hits in his last 15 at-bats.
3. Shields has worked at least six innings in each of his last 26 starts.
PREDICTION: Royals 4, Astros 1