Houston @ Kansas City preview

Last Meeting ( Sep 14, 2019 ) Houston 6, Kansas City 1

Alex Bregman has enjoyed an American League MVP-caliber season, but his recent production was a bit lacking - especially during the final three games of the Houston Astros' previous series. The two-time All-Star has used the weekend to get back on track, and the Astros hope to continue to take advantage of his presence in the middle of their lineup when they attempt to complete a three-game sweep of the host Kansas City Royals on Sunday.

Bregman's only hit during Houston's four-game set against Oakland earlier in the week was a three-run blast in his first at-bat, as he went 0-for-9 with two walks thereafter while the Athletics won three in a row. The LSU product, who is one of only two players in the majors (Mike Trout) with at least 100 runs, 100 walks and 100 RBIs, went 1-for-3 with two walks in Friday's series opener and followed that by hitting a solo homer and drawing three free passes in his five plate appearances during Saturday's 6-1 win. The Astros (97-53) lowered their magic number to claim the American League West to six games with the victory and moved within three of becoming only the sixth team in major-league history to post 100 wins in three consecutive seasons. The Royals have totaled two runs in their last three meetings with Houston and went hitless in eight at-bats with runners in scoring position on Saturday, extending their slump in such situations to 26 at-bats.

TV: 2:15 p.m. ET, AT&T SportsNet-Southwest (Houston), FS Kansas City

PITCHING MATCHUP: Astros LH Wade Miley (13-5, 3.74 ERA) vs. Royals RH Jakob Junis (9-13, 5.06)

Miley owned a 3.06 ERA at the end of August - third-best in the AL at that time - but has seen that mark skyrocket over two abysmal starts. The native of Louisiana took the loss against Oakland on Tuesday after getting pounded for seven runs while retiring just one batter, five days after being tagged for five runs without recording an out in a no-decision versus Seattle. Miley, who went 7-0 with a 2.54 ERA in July and August before his September swoon, is 4-2 with a 3.43 ERA in six career starts against the Royals.

Junis has seen his fortunes take a turn for the worse as well, surrendering at least four runs in each of his last four starts. The 26-year-old registered seven strikeouts in five frames but gave up a first-inning grand slam in Tuesday's road loss against the Chicago White Sox, permitting a total of five runs on six hits - two home runs - and three walks. Bregman is 2-for-7 with a homer against Junis, who gave up five runs - including three homers - over 5 1/3 innings of a loss at Houston on May 6.

WALK-OFFS

1. Bregman's 36 homers are the most by an Astro since 2014 (Chris Carter).

2. Kansas City has dropped seven straight at home against Houston.

3. Houston OF Yordan Alvarez, who has registered 75 RBIs in 76 games, needs seven more to tie the club record for a rookie set in 1991 by Jeff Bagwell (82 in 156 games).

PREDICTION: Astros 7, Royals 4