The Houston Astros host the Kansas City Royals for an American League matinee at 2:10 p.m. ET on Thursday. Houston is listed as a -365 favorite (risk $365 to win $100) at Caesars Sportsbook, while the Over-Under is set at 7.5 (see up-to-date odds for every game this week on our MLB odds page). 

Before making any Royals vs. Astros picks, you NEED to check out the MLB predictions from the SportsLine Projection Model.

The SportsLine Projection Model simulates every MLB game 10,000 times, and it is 271-232 on top-rated MLB money-line picks since the start of the 2021 season, returning well over $500 for $100 players. This is the same model that pegged the 2021 Atlanta Braves at 10-1 as one of three best bets to win it all last season. Anybody who has followed it has seen profitable returns.

The model knows the Royals can play small-ball. Kansas City leads the American League in triples, illustrating effective team speed. The Royals are also adept at putting the ball in play as they boast a strikeout rate below 21 percent, and Kansas City could slow Houston's offense. Royals start Kris Bubic threw five scoreless innings against the Astros earlier this season, and Houston is in the bottom tier of the American League in hits, doubles, and triples.

The model also knows the Astros have the more powerful offense in this matchup. Houston ranks in the top five of the AL in runs scored, home runs, and slugging percentage, and the Astros also have an elite starting pitcher in Justin Verlander. The veteran has a 2.03 ERA and a 0.83 WHIP this season, dominating the competition. Verlander, a two-time Cy Young winner, is also allowing only a .527 OPS to opposing hitters in 2022.

Now, it has set its sights on Royals vs. Astros. We can tell you the model is leaning over the total, and it also says one team has ALL the value! You ABSOLUTELY need to see it before locking in any MLB picks.

Who wins Royals vs. Astros? And which team has ALL the value on the money line? ... Join SportsLine right now to find out which side of the Royals vs. Astros matchup you should be all over Thursday, all from the model on a roll on MLB picks!