Houston @ Kansas City preview

Last Meeting ( Sep 13, 2019 ) Houston 4, Kansas City 1

George Springer is putting on the best regular-season power display of his six-year career and hopes to continue doing so when the Houston Astros visit the Kansas City Royals on Saturday for the middle contest of their three-game set. Springer hit a tiebreaking three-run homer in the ninth inning of Friday's series opener to give Houston a 4-1 win and himself a new career high of 35 blasts.

Springer has collected eight homers and 18 RBIs in his last 12 games, and Friday's shot over the left-center-field fence pulled the American League West-leading Astros within one game of the New York Yankees for the best record in the major leagues. Jose Altuve went deep for the 28th time as he broke the club mark for a second baseman that was set in 2004 by Jeff Kent. Zack Greinke will be on the mound against the Royals, the team with which he spent seven seasons - a stretch that saw him capture the American League Cy Young Award in 2009. Kansas City has won eight of its last 12 games despite being limited to five hits in the series opener.

TV: 7:15 p.m. ET, AT&T SportsNet-Southwest (Houston), FS Kansas City

PITCHING MATCHUP: Astros RH Zack Greinke (15-5, 2.99 ERA) vs. Royals LH Mike Montgomery (3-8, 4.77)

Greinke is 5-1 with a 3.32 ERA in seven starts since being acquired from Arizona. The 35-year-old defeated Oakland in his last outing after permitting two hits over six scoreless innings. Greinke, who is 0-2 with a 3.24 ERA in four career starts against the Royals, is 36-30 with a 3.53 ERA in 112 career appearances (92 starts) at Kauffman Stadium.

Montgomery is 2-6 with a 4.29 ERA in 10 starts since being obtained from the Chicago Cubs. The 30-year-old has dropped his last three decisions, allowing five runs in two of the setbacks. Montgomery is 1-1 with a 2.29 ERA in seven career appearances (two starts) against Houston and has struggled with Altuve (3-for-5, homer) and Springer (4-for-8).

WALK-OFFS

1. Greinke last pitched in Kansas City in 2017 as a member of the Diamondbacks, suffering the loss after giving up two runs and six hits over four innings.

2. Kansas City OF Bubba Starling has recorded two hits in three of his last six starts after going 2-for-4 on Friday.

3. Houston's Brad Peacock (shoulder/neck) threw a 20-pitch bullpen session on Friday and fellow RHP Ryan Pressly (knee) is slated to throw one on Saturday.

PREDICTION: Astros 6, Royals 3