Game #54 Preview: Houston Astros (21-32) at Kansas City Royals (24-27)

Houston Astros (21-32) vs. Kansas City Royals (24-27), 1:05 PM (CT)

TV: CSN Houston, MLB.TV
Radio: KBME 790 AM, KLAT 1010 AM
Royals SBNation Blog: Royals Review

Pitching Matchup

RHP Jarred Cosart (3-4, 4.39 ERA, 1.39 WHIP) vs. LHP Danny Duffy (2-4, 2.59 ERA, 1.02 WHIP)

Preview

The Royals rolled into Houston just in time for the arrival of George Springer and swept the Astros on April 15-17. The Astros hope to return the favor in Kansas City, just time for George Springer's arrival as a star.

Jarred Cosart takes the mound for the Astros today, he comes into the game with a 2.96 in the month of May. The right-hander has a 2-2 record in his last four starts, but he has only given up eight earned runs over his last 24.1 innings. The key for Cosart, as always, will be his control. He has walked four batters in each of his previous two starts. This will be the first time anyone on the Royals' active roster faces Cosart.

Kansas City's bats have been cold this series. The Astros have outscored the Royals 12-2 this series thus far. Kansas City is 2-for-15 with runners in scoring position this series. The top of the Royals lineup is batting a collective 3-for-33 in these last two games, including lead off man Nori Aoki (0-9) and Eric Hosmer (0-8). They haven't hit a home run in eight games, and are dead last in the major leagues with 20 total.

The Astros will face Danny Duffy today, who was inserted into the rotation when Bruce Chen was put on the disabled list earlier this month. As a starter he is 1-3 with a 2.74 ERA. After stretching out his pitch count out in his first outing, Duffy posted two quality starts allowing just one earned run over 13 innings. In his most recent start, Duffy had his worst outing of the year. He gave up five earned runs over six inning against the Angels - including home runs to Chris Iannetta and Mike Trout.

The Astros have only faced Duffy in a relief capacity, but Jose Altuve, Matt Dominguez, and Marwin Gonzalez are each 1-for-1 in their careers against the lefty.

Chris Carter is back in the lineup today for the first time since May 24 in Seattle.