Houston Astros vs Kansas City Royals Picks and Predictions May 14th 2025

Versatile Royals Vie for Series Victory Versus Astros

Defensive excellence and selfless versatility have been cornerstones of the Kansas City Royals’ early success, and both were on full display during the opening contests of their three-game set with the Houston Astros. Now, with the series tied 1-1, the Royals will aim for a signature road series win in Wednesday night’s rubber match.

Royals’ Roster Depth Making the Difference

The Royals’ lineup flexibility has been a revelation this season. In the opener, Michael Massey’s dazzling third-inning play—diving for an Isaac Paredes grounder before a slick flip to Maikel Garcia—showcased the Royals’ elite infield defense. Then on Tuesday, Jonathan India and Bobby Witt Jr. took over second and shortstop duties, proving just how deep and interchangeable Kansas City’s roster is.

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Garcia, for instance, has started at five positions this year, while India has seamlessly rotated between the infield and outfield. Even veteran Salvador Perez has contributed at both catcher and first base.

“The versatility goes to the selflessness as well. Their No. 1 goal is to win baseball games,”
— Royals manager Matt Quatraro

It’s that attitude that continues to fuel Kansas City’s underdog momentum—and keep them trending in the right direction as a solid MLB betting pick.

Pitching Preview: Lorenzen vs. Gordon

Right-hander Michael Lorenzen (3-3, 3.57 ERA) gets the ball for Kansas City. He is coming off a masterful seven-inning shutout against Boston, where he gave up just three hits and a walk. It was a much-needed bounce back and one of his sharpest outings since late 2024.

However, Lorenzen has struggled historically against Houston, owning an 0-2 record and a 7.90 ERA in five appearances. But with his recent form, he’ll look to rewrite that narrative.

The Astros, meanwhile, will debut left-hander Colton Gordon, who was recently called up from Triple-A Sugar Land. Gordon boasts a 4-0 record and 2.55 ERA at the minor league level this season and has been praised for his poise and aggressive strike-throwing approach.

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“He’s tough… He has put himself in this position,”
— Astros manager Joe Espada on Gordon’s promotion

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Astros Playing the Long Game

With a grueling stretch of 17 consecutive games underway, Houston is leaning on depth—like Gordon—to get them through. Gordon’s early arrival from the taxi squad gave him a chance to acclimate, train with big-league arms, and study the Royals’ tendencies.

Espada’s strategic move could pay off, especially if Gordon carries over his Triple-A dominance.