KANSAS CITY ROYALS NEWS

James McArthur - High-leverage struggles return McArthur (5-6) took the loss Friday, giving up one run on two hits in two-thirds of an inning as the Royals fell 3-2 to the Astros.

Impact With the game tied 2-2 in the bottom of the ninth inning, McArthur got the call and gave up a one-out single to Jake Meyers, setting the stage for Jose Altuve to walk it off with a double. With Lucas Erceg (hand) not 100 percent, the closer role is up for grabs again in Kansas City, at least in the short term, but McArthur may not be in the mix for save chances despite his 1.50 ERA, 1.00 WHIP and 13:2 K:BB through 12 innings in August.

AUGUST 31 • ROTOWIRE

Seth Lugo - Fans nine in no-decision Lugo came away with a no-decision in Friday's 3-2 loss to the Astros, allowing one run on six hits and a walk over seven innings. He struck out nine.

Impact The veteran right-hander delivered his 19th quality start of the season and produced his highest strikeout total since he fanned 10 Guardians on June 30, but Lugo was never in line for a win as Framber Valdez no-hit the Royals through seven innings. Despite Friday's performance, Lugo has faded in the second half under a career-high workload, posting a 4.67 ERA, 1.19 WHIP and 39:14 K:BB in 52 innings since the All-Star break. He's scheduled to make his next start at home next week in a key clash with the Cleveland squad that Kansas City is trying to catch in the AL Central.

AUGUST 31 • ROTOWIRE

After late-inning heroics, Astros seek third consecutive win over Royals Somewhat buried in the Astros’ second consecutive last-at-bat win was the late-inning defense that facilitated the need for Houston to rally...

AUGUST 31 • NEWSOBSERVER.COM

After late-inning heroics, Astros seek third consecutive win over Royals Somewhat buried in the Astros’ second consecutive last-at-bat win was the late-inning defense that facilitated the need for Houston to rally...

AUGUST 31 • SACBEE.COM

Royals look to stop losing streak in game against the Astros

The Kansas City Royals look to end their three-game slide with a victory over the Houston Astros

AUGUST 31 • ASSOCIATED PRESS

How to Watch Astros vs. Royals: TV Channel & Live Stream - August 31

Preview the August 31 matchup between the Houston Astros and Kansas City Royals with recent trends, how to watch, livestream info, and more.

AUGUST 31 • DATA SKRIVE

Kansas City Royals at Houston Astros Preview - 08/31/2024 This browser does not support the video element.

AUGUST 31 • MLB.COM

Kansas City Royals rally against Houston Astros before falling in walk-off finish Friday proved to be a difficult day for the Kansas City Royals, who got some bad injury news and later fell to the Astros.

AUGUST 31 • KANSASCITY.COM

Astros edge Royals on Jose Altuve's walk-off double Jose Altuve socked a walk-off double with two outs in the ninth inning as the Houston Astros recovered from a gut punch in the top of that f...

AUGUST 31 • STAR-TELEGRAM.COM

Framber Valdez holds Royals hitless through 7, Jose Altuve's hit in 9th lifts Astros to 3-2 win

Framber Valdez pitched seven no-hit innings and Jose Altuve hit a game-ending RBI double in the ninth to lift the Houston Astros to a 3-2 win over the Kansas City Royals

AUGUST 31 • ASSOCIATED PRESS

Astros vs. Royals Prediction, Odds, Picks - August 31

Preview the August 31 matchup between the Houston Astros and Kansas City Royals with odds over/under, game spread, betting lines and more.

AUGUST 31 • DATA SKRIVE

Kansas City Royals at Houston Astros Game Story, Scores/Highlights - 08/30/2024 This browser does not support the video element.

AUGUST 31 • MLB.COM

Astros' Framber Valdez and Bryan Abreu lose no-hit bid in 8th on single by K.C.'s Isbel

Houston’s Framber Valdez and Bryan Abreu lost their no-hit bid with two outs in the eighth inning on Friday night on a single by Kansas City pinch-hitter Kyle Isbel

AUGUST 31 • ASSOCIATED PRESS

Lucas Erceg - Deemed day-to-day Erceg (hand) is dealing with soreness and swelling but is considered day-to-day, Joel Goldberg of Bally Sports Kansas City reports.

Impact Erceg injured his throwing hand trying to field a comebacker during Thursday's game against the Astros and was removed from the contest. While the issue doesn't seem to be anything long-term, it could open up save opportunities for James McArthur, Sam Long or John Schreiber in the coming days.

AUGUST 30 • ROTOWIRE

Adam Frazier - On bench against southpaw Frazier is out of the lineup for Friday's game against Houston.

Impact Frazier will yield to Ty Gentry in right field Friday against Framber Valdez and the Astros. Frazier has just one hit in his last 16 at-bats.

AUGUST 30 • ROTOWIRE

Michael Massey - Sitting against LHP Massey is out of the lineup for Friday's game against Houston.

Impact Massey will avoid a same-hand matchup with lefty Framber Valdez on Friday. Maikel Garcia will play second base while Nick Loftin slots in at DH.

AUGUST 30 • ROTOWIRE

MJ Melendez - Idle against southpaw Melendez is out of the lineup for Friday's game against the Astros.

Impact With lefty Framber Valdez on the mound for Houston, Melendez will yield to Dairon Blanco in left field. Melendez is 7-for-22 (.318) with a pair of homers in his last six games.

AUGUST 30 • ROTOWIRE

Kyle Isbel - Idle against LHP Isbel is out of the lineup for Friday's game against Houston.

Impact Isbel will avoid a matchup with left-hander Framber Valdez on Friday. Garrett Hampson draws the start in center field and will bat eighth.

AUGUST 30 • ROTOWIRE

Vinnie Pasquantino - Placed on IL The Royals placed Pasquantino (thumb) on the 10-day injured list Friday.

Impact Pasquantino was diagnosed with a fractured right thumb Friday and given a 6-to-8 week timetable for return, ending the first baseman's 2024 season. Kansas City recalled Nick Loftin from Triple-A Omaha to take Pasquantino's spot on the 26-man roster. Loftin and Salvador Perez should handle most of the work at first base down the stretch.

AUGUST 30 • ROTOWIRE

Nick Loftin - Joining big-league club The Royals recalled Loftin from Triple-A Omaha on Friday.

Impact Loftin will replace Vinnie Pasquantino (thumb) on the active roster as Pasquantino heads to the injured list. Loftin has been with Omaha since July 30 and is slashing .199/.294/.248 with Kansas City this season. The 25-year-old should see plenty of work at first base, though the Royals should give Salvador Perez some opportunities at the position.

AUGUST 30 • ROTOWIRE

Royals Lose Key Player For Regular Season Amid Close Wild Card Race The Royals currently sit in the first place wild card position above the Cleveland Guardians.

AUGUST 30 • NEWSOBSERVER.COM

Royals 1B Vinnie Pasquantino (thumb) out 6-8 weeks Kansas City Royals first baseman Vinnie Pasquantino will miss the rest of the regular season with a broken thumb after a bizarre play in Thu...

AUGUST 30 • NEWSOBSERVER.COM

Playoff-contending Royals lose 1B Vinnie Pasquantino for rest of regular season to broken thumb

Royals first baseman Vinnie Pasquantino will miss the rest of the regular season after breaking his right thumb while trying to make a play at first base in the eighth inning of th...

AUGUST 30 • ASSOCIATED PRESS

Kansas City Royals Suffer Brutal Break That Could Have Serious Impact on Playoff Run The Kansas City Royals lost to the Houston Astros on Thursday night, 6-3, but they also lost a lot more than a game. The Royals lost first b...

AUGUST 30 • SI.COM

Pasquantino has broken right thumb, out 6-8 weeks Royals slugger Vinnie Pasquantino has a broken right thumb and will miss 6-8 weeks, the club announced on Friday. He will undergo further te...

AUGUST 30 • MLB.COM