Ahead of the Astros pivotal series with the Royals, they've made a few roster moves. Chas McCormick has been optioned to Sugar Land along with relief pitcher Bryan King.

They will be replaced on the roster by newly signed outfielder Jason Heyward, and Ryan Pressly, who is returning from the IL.

Heyward will make his Astros debut Thursday night and is playing right field and batting eighth.

The demotion of King comes as a bit of a surprise. He's been fantastic this season (2.05 ERA), and certainly better than their other lefty middle reliever, Caleb Ferguson (4.63 ERA).

But Ferguson is out of options, so the front office elected to send King to Sugar Land instead. If I'm Joe Espada, I am not pleased with this move. Espada has rightfully shown a lot more confidence in King this season.

Some news and notes for the upcoming series:

Kansas City Royals (75-59, second in the AL Central) vs. Houston Astros (71-62, first in the AL West)

Houston; Thursday, 8:10 p.m. EDT

PITCHING PROBABLES: Royals: Brady Singer (9-9, 3.37 ERA, 1.25 WHIP, 141 strikeouts); Astros: Hunter Brown (11-7, 3.72 ERA, 1.32 WHIP, 151 strikeouts)

BETMGM SPORTSBOOK: LINE Astros -155, Royals +130; over/under is 8 runs

BOTTOM LINE: The Houston Astros host the Kansas City Royals after Yordan Alvarez hit three home runs on Wednesday in a 10-0 win over the Phillies.

Houston is 35-29 in home games and 71-62 overall. The Astros have a 59-18 record in games when they out-hit their opponents.

Kansas City has a 34-31 record on the road and a 75-59 record overall. The Royals have the third-ranked team batting average in the AL at .258.

The matchup Thursday is the fourth time these teams match up this season.

TOP PERFORMERS: Alvarez leads the Astros with a .311 batting average, and has 29 doubles, two triples, 28 home runs, 60 walks and 71 RBI. Yainer Diaz is 13-for-42 with four home runs and four RBI over the past 10 games.

Bobby Witt Jr. has 39 doubles, 11 triples and 28 home runs while hitting .346 for the Royals. Salvador Perez is 13-for-38 with five doubles and three home runs over the past 10 games.

LAST 10 GAMES: Astros: 4-6, .272 batting average, 3.10 ERA, outscored opponents by seven runs

Royals: 6-4, .277 batting average, 4.85 ERA, outscored by four runs

INJURIES: Astros: J.P. France: 60-Day IL (undisclosed), Ryan Pressly: 15-Day IL (back), Kyle Tucker: 60-Day IL (shin), Cristian Javier: 60-Day IL (forearm), Jose Urquidy: 60-Day IL (forearm), Oliver Ortega: 60-Day IL (elbow), Bennett Sousa: 60-Day IL (shoulder), Penn Murfee: 60-Day IL (elbow), Luis Garcia: 60-Day IL (elbow), Lance McCullers Jr.: 60-Day IL (elbow), Kendall Graveman: 60-Day IL (elbow)

Royals: Michael Lorenzen: 15-Day IL (hamstring), Will Smith: 15-Day IL (back), Hunter Renfroe: 10-Day IL (hamstring), Hunter Harvey: 15-Day IL (back), Dan Altavilla: 60-Day IL (oblique), Josh Taylor: 60-Day IL (biceps), Kyle Wright: 60-Day IL (shoulder)