Houston Astros (3-1) vs. Kansas City Royals (0-3), April 7, 2017, 7:10 PM CDT

TV: ROOTSW
Radio: KBME 790AM, La Nueva 94.1 FM
Online: MLB.TV
Royals SBNation Blog: Royals Review

Pitching Matchup

RHP Mike Fiers (11-8, 4.48 ERA, 1.36 WHIP in 2016) vs. LHP Jason Vargas (0-0, 2.25 ERA, 0.92 WHIP in 2016)

Preview

The Astros and Royals begin their three-game series at Minute Maid Park. The Royals have not had the same luck as the Astros through the first few games of the season. The Royals normally dominant bullpen has given up 14 runs through eight innings pitched. Like the Astros, the Royals have struggled to score runs. Over the last three games, the Royals have scored a total of five runs.

The Royals will send Jason Vargas to the hill who went 5-2 with a 3.98 ERA in nine starts for the Royals last season. The Astros will send Mike Fiers to the mound. Fiers went 11-8 with a 4.48 ERA over 30 starts last season. For the Astros to win, they will need to feast off a struggling Royals bullpen, while continuing their success on the mound.

Matchup to watch: Jason Vargas vs. George Springer

George Springer has been the bright spot for the Astros in the first four games of the season. It will be interesting to see if Vargas can keep Springer's hits in the park.