Houston @ Kansas City preview

Last Meeting ( Jun 8, 2013 ) Houston 2, Kansas City 7

The Kansas City Royals haven’t won five straight since a seven-game winning streak in September 2011, but they can accomplish that feat Sunday with a victory against the visiting Houston Astros. The Royals have made up just one game on the first-place Detroit Tigers in the last 10, however, and sit 6 1/2 games back in the American League Central. The Astros had something going with a six-game winning streak, but have now lost four of five.

Chris Carter hit his third home run this month in the 7-2 loss Saturday against the Royals. He has 13 homers in 60 games after hitting 16 in 67 games last season with the Oakland Athletics. Royals leadoff hitter Alex Gordon received his first day off this season Saturday. He’s 10-for-59 in his last 15 games to dip his average from .352 to .310. His replacement, David Lough, is 6-for-17 while in the starting lineup the last four games.

TV: 2:10 p.m. ET, Comcast SportNet Houston, Fox Sports Kansas City

PITCHING MATCHUP: Astros RH Lucas Harrell (4-7, 4.97 ERA) vs. Royals RH Luis Mendoza (1-3, 4.76)

Harrell is coming off his best start of the season Tuesday against the Baltimore Orioles. He matched his longest outing (seven innings), lowest earned-run total (one) and didn’t walk a batter for the first time this spring. Unfortunately, he took the loss in the 4-1 defeat, but there’s reason to be optimistic. Harrell made his only career appearance against Kansas City in September 2010, giving up six runs in the first inning before eventually losing 12-6.

Mendoza is on his second four-start winless streak of the season, but he’s given the Royals a chance to win most of the time. The offense just hasn’t held up its end of the bargain. His most recent outing was typical of his fortunes this season, as he held the Minnesota Twins hitless Tuesday until Ryan Doumit led off the fourth with a home run and Kansas City went on to lose its 11th straight home game, 3-0.

WALK-OFFS

1. Opposing batters are hitting .207 off Mendoza on his first 60 pitches and .320 beyond that.

2. Astros OF Brandon Barnes is day-to-day after leaving Saturday’s game with tightness in his hamstring.

3. Houston 2B Jose Altuve can hit in a career-high 10 straight games with a base hit Sunday.

PREDICTION: Astros 5, Royals 4