Royals Look to Make It Two Straight in Houston After Snatching Game One

The Royals just walked into Minute Maid Park and punched the Astros in the mouth, 5-2, cashing DarkHorse's Royals +1.5 ticket with authority. Now Kansas City smells blood in the water for Game Two of this late-season series.

Houston's supposed to be the big bad wolf of the AL West, but they looked toothless yesterday while the Royals' bats came alive and their pitching staff kept the Astros' lineup in check. That's the kind of confidence-builder that travels well, especially when you're the underdog walking into a hostile building.

The question tonight is whether the Astros wake up and remember who they are, or if Kansas City keeps riding this momentum wave. Houston's pride is wounded, which makes them dangerous, but it also makes them pressing. The Royals, meanwhile, are playing with house money and zero fear.

DarkHorse hasn't dropped a pick for tonight's rematch yet, which tells you this one's probably tighter than the oddsmakers want to admit. But if yesterday taught us anything, it's that this Royals squad isn't intimidated by the Houston mystique. The Astros need to prove they can adjust, and fast, or this series could get ugly in a hurry.