Wayne Root
Pinnacle
Kansas City Royals {J. Cueto} (-135) over Houston Astros {C. McHugh}
7:07 PM (EDT) -- Ewing M. Kauffman Stadium
It''s youth vs experience. Houston is too young to win this elimination game and Kansas City is too experienced to lose it. The Royals have won nine of their past 10 elimination games, and now have momentum on their side after that improbable comeback Monday. Additionally, it''s difficult to match a previous great performance. Collin McHugh threw a gem in winning the series opener for the Astros. McHugh allowed two runs - both on homers by Kendrys Morales - and six hits over six innings of superb pitching despite almost a hour rain delay. The Astros have been a bust all year long on the road. They''ve only won 33 games away from Minute-Maid Park. This isn''t their only melt-down this season. They blew a solid division lead and were forced to win a play-in game as a Wild Card team. Speaking of blowing a game, the Royals forced the decider at Kauffman Stadium by rallying from a four-run deficit in the eighth inning Monday at Houston. How do the get up for a Game 5? It won''t be easy. For the Royals, Johnny Cueto was an All-Star a year ago with Cincinnati, and finished second in Cy Young voting in the National League. He gives batters fits. The Royals have been here before and look for them to grab this game and move on. TAKE KANSAS CITY