The Houston Astros took an important 1-0 lead over the Kansas City Royals, making the ALDS Game 2 even more important. That game is scheduled for a 3:45 p.m. start time and it will be televised nationally on FOX Sports 1. Currently the betting odds for the game have Kansas City listed as a comfortable favorite in this one.

Johnny Cueto will make his post season debut for the Royals in this contest, getting the ball against Scott Kazmir and the Astros. Cueto will have a ton of pressure on him in this contest as the Royals cannot head back to Houston in an 0-2 hole.

The Astros waited out the rain on Thursday and picked up a win, getting a nice effort from Collin McHugh. He didn't dominate or overpower the Royals, but kept the Astros in it long enough by being accurate and using his defense. Kazmir will look to do the same thing in this one. He was acquired, like Cueto, to give Houston a chance in the post season with a veteran arm. 

Cueto is going to have to keep the ball down, strike out a ton of Astros and find a way to keep them in the yard. Houston loves to bomb away (they hit two more home runs Thursday), but they also strike out a ton. A nice outing from Cueto with a bunch of punchouts is what Kansas City needs in this spot.

Houston did its job by earning a split on the road, winning this one would give them an amazing opportunity heading back to Texas. But with the Royals' post season experience and Cueto taking the baseball, Kansas City gets this one done.

Free Pick: Kansas City

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