Kansas City Royals vs Houston Astros Picks and Predictions April 27th 2025

Behind Kris Bubic, Royals Bid for Sweep of Astros

The Kansas City Royals are riding high and aiming to extend their longest winning streak of the season when they face the Houston Astros in the finale of a three-game series on Sunday afternoon. Fresh off two consecutive 2-0 shutout victories, the Royals are looking to complete their second straight sweep and close out a perfect homestand.

Royals Clicking at the Right Time

Kansas City has surged to a six-game winning streak, powered by stellar pitching and timely hitting. Saturday’s win saw Bobby Witt Jr. extend his career-best hitting streak to 18 games while leading the team with a .318 batting average and 34 hits. Vinnie Pasquantino provided a spark as well, launching his team-leading third home run of the season.

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“I think all that matters in our locker room is the win,” Royals manager Matt Quatraro said. “There’s going to be nights where we win 10-8, and there’s going to be nights when we win 2-0. A win is all that matters, and that’s what our singular focus is.”

Sunday’s starter, Kris Bubic (2-1, 1.45 ERA), has been a major part of the Royals’ pitching renaissance. With the fourth-best ERA in the American League, Bubic struck out six over seven scoreless innings in his last start against the Rockies. He will look to maintain the Royals’ streak of 24 straight scoreless innings pitched.

Bubic has a 2.38 ERA in three career appearances against Houston, setting the stage for another strong outing.

If you’re following MLB picks this weekend, the Royals’ red-hot form and Bubic’s dominance are key angles to watch. For expert insights and winning predictions, explore the latest MLB picks.

Astros Desperate to Break Out

The Astros have seen their three-game winning streak vanish, struggling to find offense in Kansas City. Houston has been held scoreless for 24 consecutive innings, managing just nine hits — only three for extra bases — across the series.

“We’re having a tough time getting a big hit,” Astros manager Joe Espada said. “We’ve faced two good starters and a pretty good bullpen. They’re playing pretty good baseball; they’re kind of on a winning streak right now.”

One of the few bright spots for Houston has been third baseman Isaac Paredes, who is 4-for-8 with two doubles in the series. However, broader concerns remain for the Astros, who rank 26th in the majors in runs scored and 28th in home runs.

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Despite their offensive woes, Houston still boasts the fourth-best team ERA in the majors (3.19). They’ll lean on right-hander Hunter Brown (3-1, 1.16 ERA), one of MLB’s top pitchers this season, to stop the bleeding.

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Brown has thrown three consecutive scoreless starts, including a dominant seven-inning outing against Toronto where he fanned nine. However, he has struggled mightily against Kansas City in his career, posting a 13.06 ERA in three starts.

Key Storylines Heading into the Finale

The Royals’ combination of a red-hot lineup and lights-out pitching presents a massive challenge for a Houston team desperate to rediscover its offensive rhythm. With both Bubic and Brown capable of dominating the mound, Sunday’s finale could come down to which offense blinks first.