Astros at Royals
The Houston Astros are rolling and look to extend their season-high winning streak to nine games when they visit the Kansas City Royals on Friday for the opener of their three-game series. Houston's string of success includes the first seven contests of a 10-game road trip as it has climbed a season-best 20 games over .500.
The Astros have scored 57 runs during their winning streak, and Thursday's 7-3 victory in Oakland marked the fifth time they crossed the plate seven or more times during the stretch. Evan Gattis has registered two or more hits in five of his last eight games and is 12-for-32 with five homers and 16 RBIs during the winning streak, including back-to-back five-RBI efforts on Tuesday and Wednesday. Kansas City is sinking in the opposite direction with nine setbacks in its last 10 contests to fall a season-worst 24 games under .500. The Royals, who are just 10-23 at home, have scored just 23 runs in 12 games this month while batting a meager .185.
TV: 8:15 p.m. ET, AT&T SportsNet-Southwest (Houston), FS Kansas City
PITCHING MATCHUP: Astros RH Charlie Morton (7-1, 2.82 ERA) vs. Royals RH Jakob Junis (5-6, 4.05)
Morton suffered from extreme wildness in his last outing as he issued a season-high six walks and also hit four batters in just 3 2/3 innings against Texas. The 34-year-old allowed two runs and one hit in the no-decision before being pulled and will strive to regain the form that saw him win his first seven decisions of the campaign. Morton is 0-2 with a 6.17 ERA in two career starts against the Royals and has served up a homer to Mike Moustakas (1-for-4).
Junis has dropped three consecutive starts and is winless in his last four outings. The 25-year-old was roughed up for six runs and 10 hits in 5 1/3 innings by Oakland in his last turn, serving up three homers along the way. Junis lasted just 3 2/3 frames in his lone career start against the Astros on June 6, 2017, surrendering seven runs - four earned - and eight hits.
WALK-OFFS
1. The Royals are 2-9 in 11 home series this season.
2. Houston 2B Jose Altuve went 2-for-4 with an RBI on Thursday for his fifth multi-hit performance in nine games.
3. Kansas City C Salvador Perez is batting just .171 with two homers and four RBIs this month.