Astros Look to Bounce Back Against Royals After Recent Struggles

Kansas City, MO — The Houston Astros are set to face the Kansas City Royals in a three-game series starting Friday, April 25, 2025, at Kauffman Stadium. This matchup comes as the Astros look to regain momentum following a recent sweep of the Toronto Blue Jays.

The Astros, with a record of 13-11, have had a strong but inconsistent start to the 2025 season. They won five of their last six games, including two shutouts against Toronto, where they allowed only two runs. However, their offense has struggled, averaging just 3.83 runs scored per game.

Historically, the Astros have been a dominant force in the American League, making playoff appearances in nine of the last ten seasons and winning two championships. But last season marked their lowest win total in recent years, bringing concerns of an eroding core after parting ways with key players like Carlos Correa, Kyle Tucker, and Alex Bregman.

The Astros’ current lineup features several standout players. Jose Altuve, a longtime All-Star, holds a .271 batting average against the Royals across 71 games. Yordan Alvarez, however, has had a rough start with only five extra-base hits this season. Rookie Cam Smith, acquired from the Cubs, is heating up with a .273 batting average and three home runs in his last 13 games.

Houston’s pitching has been a bright spot, with the bullpen achieving an impressive 2.62 ERA, ranking fourth in the league. Josh Hader leads with seven saves and a striking out rate of 35 percent. Meanwhile, starter Hunter Brown has not allowed a run in his last three outings.

The Royals, coming off a series sweep against the Colorado Rockies, hold a record of 12-14. They aim to capitalize on Houston’s recent offensive struggles to gain traction this season. Bobby Witt Jr. commented on the Royals’ recent performance, praising Salvador Perez‘s impressive five-hit game in their recent doubleheader.

This series marks a critical point for both teams as they navigate the early season. The Astros hope to assert their dominance again after faltering last season, while the Royals look to build on their recent success against notable competition.