Significant elements at play in Astros-Royals high-stakes series finale
May 14, 2025, 3:57 pm
Astros aim to keep momentum rolling in series decider. Composite Getty Image.
The Houston Astros (21-20) host the Kansas City Royals (25-19) on Wednesday night at Daikin Park in the rubber match of a three-game series. First pitch is scheduled for 8:10 p.m. ET.
The series is tied 1-1, with both teams trading wins and showcasing the depth that’s kept them competitive early in the season. This will be the sixth meeting between the clubs this year, with Kansas City holding a slight edge in the season series, 3-2.
Pitching matchup
Houston hands the ball to rookie left-hander Colton Gordon, who is set to make his MLB debut. The 26-year-old will look to keep a red-hot Royals lineup in check while giving the Astros a glimpse of their pitching future.
Kansas City counters with veteran right-hander Michael Lorenzen (3-3, 3.57 ERA), who has quietly anchored the Royals’ rotation. Lorenzen has struck out 40 batters over 45.1 innings and enters the game with a 1.26 WHIP.
Team trends
Houston enters the night just above .500 and has played well at home (14-9), backed by an offense that ranks 10th in the AL with a .379 slugging percentage. The Astros have hit .289 as a team over their last 10 games and have outscored opponents by 11 runs during that stretch.
Kansas City, meanwhile, continues to surprise in the AL Central. The Royals have gone 7-3 over their last 10 games with a solid 2.74 team ERA and an equally impressive .277 team batting average in that span. However, they’re under .500 on the road at 9-12.
Players to watch
For the Astros, Jake Meyers has been a steady presence at the plate, leading the team with a .308 average and contributing across the board. Jeremy Peña has also heated up recently, batting .349 over his last 10 games with a pair of home runs and nine RBIs.
The Royals continue to ride the bat of Bobby Witt Jr., who’s slashing .312 with 17 doubles and five homers. Kyle Isbel has quietly been effective too, hitting .357 over his last 10 games with extra-base pop.
Betting odds
According to BetMGM, the Astros are favored at -139 on the moneyline, with the Royals at +118. The over/under is set at 8 runs.
With both teams playing well and the series on the line, Wednesday night’s matchup offers a compelling mix of youth, momentum, and early-season implications for two surging squads.
Here's a sneak peek at Wednesday night's lineup.
Gordon debut.
⚾️: 7:10pm
🏟️: Closed
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— Houston Astros (@astros) May 14, 2025
Nothing too surprising going on here. Zach Dezenzo is getting the start over Cam Smith in right field. Victor Caratini will be the only left-handed bat (switch hitter) against Lorenzen, as he'll be catching Gordon in his big league debut, with Yainer Diaz in the DH spot. Mauricio Dubon will be playing second base, with Brendan Rodgers getting the night off.
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The Houston Rockets are an exciting team with flashes of promise, capable of going on explosive runs and keeping pace with some of the league’s best—at least for stretches. But as games tighten and moments get bigger, something becomes painfully clear: they’re still missing that guy. The closer. The momentum-stopper. The player who doesn’t just light up the highlight reel but steps up when it matters most.
Much of that scrutiny falls on Jalen Green, the player Houston hoped would blossom into that superstar. He’s had ample opportunity to take the reins—plenty of minutes, plenty of touches. But the results have been mixed. Green’s athleticism is elite, and when he’s on, he looks like the future. But too often, he’s streaky, relying more on raw talent than a refined offensive game. His three-point shot still isn’t where it needs to be, and questions about his shot selection and decision-making continue to linger.
So the Rockets face a tough question: how much longer do they wait? Can Jalen Green still become the player they need, or is it time to shift focus and find someone else who can truly carry the team in crunch time?
Until they answer that, the Rockets may remain stuck in the same cycle—capable, but not complete. Dangerous, but not dependable. A team full of potential still waiting for its leader to emerge.
Be sure to watch the video below as ESPN Houston's John Granato and Lance Zierlein share their thoughts on Jalen Green, and his future with Houston.
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