The Kansas City Royals (51-102) kick off a three-game series on Friday against the Houston Astros (85-68). The matchup begins at 8:10 PM ET at Minute Maid Park. The Astros will look to Framber Valdez (12-10) against the Royals and Cole Ragans (6-4).
Bet on this matchup: Sign up for DraftKings using our link and earn a first-time depositor bonus!
Houston vs. Kansas City Pitcher Matchup Info
- When: Friday, September 22, 2023 at 8:10 PM ET
- Where: Minute Maid Park in Houston, Texas
- How to Watch on TV: SNSW
- Probable Pitchers: Valdez – HOU (12-10, 3.20 ERA) vs Ragans – KC (6-4, 3.44 ERA)
Watch MLB games this season on DISH!
Astros vs. Royals Starting Pitcher Stats (2023)
| Valdez | Ragans | |
|---|---|---|
| 29 | GS | 11 |
| 12-10 | W-L | 6-4 |
| 3.20 | ERA | 3.44 |
| 188.2 | IP | 83.2 |
| 49 | BB | 33 |
| 183 | SO | 100 |
Astros Probable Starting Pitcher: Framber Valdez
- In his most recent appearance on Sunday, the lefty threw seven innings against the Kansas City Royals, allowing no earned runs while surrendering six hits.
- The 29-year-old has an ERA of 3.20, with 8.7 strikeouts per nine innings, in 29 games this season. Opposing hitters have a .221 batting average against him.
- Valdez is trying to continue a fifth-game quality start streak in this matchup.
- In six of his appearances this season he did not surrender an earned run.
- The 29-year-old ranks seventh in ERA (3.20), 12th in WHIP (1.092), and 28th in K/9 (8.7) among qualifying pitchers in MLB play this season.
- Valdez’s team is 13-16-0 against the spread this season in his starts.
- Games Valdez has started this season hit the over 15 times in 29 chances.
Valdez’s Recent Performance
| Opponent | Date | IP | H | R | ER | K | BB |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| at Royals | Sep. 17 | 7.0 | 6 | 1 | 0 | 5 | 1 |
| vs. Athletics | Sep. 11 | 7.0 | 4 | 3 | 3 | 10 | 1 |
| at Rangers | Sep. 5 | 7.0 | 6 | 1 | 1 | 4 | 4 |
| at Red Sox | Aug. 30 | 6.0 | 5 | 4 | 2 | 5 | 0 |
| at Tigers | Aug. 25 | 7.0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 6 | 5 |
Royals Probable Starting Pitcher: Cole Ragans
- The left-hander’s last start was on Saturday, when he tossed six innings while giving up five earned runs on six hits in a matchup with the Houston Astros.
- The 25-year-old has an ERA of 3.44 and 10.8 strikeouts per nine innings with an opponent batting average of .202 in 27 games this season.
- He has started 11 games this season, earning a quality start (6 or more IP, 3 or fewer ER) in six of them.
- He has 15 appearances this season with zero earned runs allowed out of his 27 chances this season.
- The Royals have a 6-5-0 record against the spread in Ragans’ starts.
- Ragans’ starts hit the over on the run total four times in 11 games with a set total this season.
Ragans’ Recent Performance
| Opponent | Date | IP | H | R | ER | K | BB |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| vs. Astros | Sep. 16 | 6.0 | 6 | 5 | 5 | 7 | 2 |
| at Blue Jays | Sep. 10 | 5.2 | 1 | 2 | 2 | 6 | 6 |
| vs. White Sox | Sep. 4 | 6.0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 7 | 0 |
| vs. Pirates | Aug. 29 | 7.0 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 9 | 1 |
| at Athletics | Aug. 23 | 6.0 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 11 | 0 |
Not all offers available in all states, please visit DraftKings for the latest promotions for your area. Must be 21+ to gamble, please wager responsibly. If you or someone you know has a gambling problem, contact 1-800-GAMBLER.
