Astros, Royals Clash as Struggling Pitchers Seek Redemption

The Kansas City Royals have recently rebounded from a tough road trip by excelling at home, extending their current winning streak and securing a strong home record. Facing the Houston Astros, both teams are relying on veteran pitchers who have struggled early in the season, with Houston's Framber Valdez and Kansas City's Michael Wacha seeking improvement. Offensively, both clubs have been inconsistent, with the Astros shut out for the first time this season and scoring two or fewer runs in 11 games, while the Royals have struggled with a low team batting average and the fewest home runs in the majors. Despite these issues, Kansas City's lineup has shown recent signs of life, highlighted by Salvador Perez's strong performance and Bobby Witt Jr.'s impressive 17-game hitting streak. The series presents an opportunity for the Royals to further climb in the standings and continue their home dominance, while the Astros look to recover from a recent skid and offensive inconsistency.