KANSAS CITY ROYALS (4-2)

at HOUSTON ASTROS (3-4)

First pitch: Tuesday, 8:10 p.m. ET
Line: Kansas City +125, Houston -135, Total: 8.0

Mike Fiers and the Astros look for their second consecutive win against Kris Medlen and the World Series-champion Royals.

The Astros (3-4) beat the Royals (4-2), 8-2, in their home opener on Monday night and will look for their second straight victory behind RHP Mike Fiers (0-0, 9.00 ERA, 2 HRs in 1 GS). He’ll be opposed on the mound by RHP Kris Medlen (6-2, 4.01 ERA in 58 1/3 IP in 2015), who is making his first start of 2016. After dropping three in a row last week, the Astros have gotten back on track with a pair of victories in three games. The Royals got off to hot start in their title defense, winning four of their first five contests prior to Monday’s defeat. The Astros win by hitting the ball out of the ballpark. They currently lead the American League in home runs (13) and runs scored (36), and have the second-most hits (62). Houston pitchers have struggled to get hitters out, though, posting an AL-worst 6.25 ERA in seven games. The Royals, meanwhile, have arguably the best bullpen in baseball. It’s been good, but not brilliant, through six games (3.00 ERA, 27 SO, 11 BB, 1 BSV). Kansas City went 5-3 against Houston in 2015.

The Royals do just about everything right. They hit—and make an incredible amount of contact—they pitch effectively and they make all the plays in the field. They also play smart baseball and take the extra base every chance they get. 1B Eric Hosmer (.318, 2 RBIs, 1 3B, .400 OBP) has gotten off to a strong start, as has 2B Omar Infante (.294, 1 2B, 2 RBIs). Manager Ned Yost is going to need more production from SS Alcides Escobar (.250, 3 2Bs, 1 SB), C Salvador Perez (.250, 2 2Bs, 1 3B, 1 RBI) and LF Alex Gordon (.238, 1 2B, 1 RBI, 11 SOs). 3B Mike Moustakas (.200, 2 HRs, 3 RBIs), CF Lorenzo Cain (.190, 1 HR, 1 RBI, 1 SB) and DH Kendrys Morales (.190, 2 HRs, 5 RBIs) are ice-cold at the plate. No Royal has more than five career at-bats against Fiers, though the club has a collective .375 average (9-for-24) against him. The Royals faced Fiers once last season and hit him hard, scoring six runs on eight hits in just five innings.

Folks, it’s time to meet 1B Tyler White (.545, 3 HRs, 9 RBIs, 3 2Bs, .577 OBP), if you haven’t already. The rookie phenom is off to a blazing start for Houston, capturing American League Player of the Week honors. SS Carlos Correa (.357, 3 HRs, 6 RBIs, 2 2Bs, 2 SBs, .400 OBP), who many believe in time will be the best player in the majors, is also raking. LF Colby Rasmus (.333, 3 HRs, 6 RBIs, 1 2B, .444 OBP) has been a pain for opposing pitchers, as has leadoff man and two-time hits leader Jose Altuve (.286, 1 HR, 2 RBIs, 8 Rs, 1 2B, 6 SBs). The only Astros player with more than four career at-bats against Medlen is backup catcher Erik Kratz (.000), who is 0-for-5 on the season with three strikeouts and is 2-for-6 lifetime against the 30-year-old with a double and a walk. Medlen, who missed all of 2014 and pitched in Atlanta from 2009-13, only has one career start against Houston (back in 2012).