Royals at Astros
Carlos Correa's career-best hitting streak sits at 16 games as the Houston Astros enter Tuesday's game against the visiting Kansas City Royals. The 24-year-old shortstop went 3-for-4 with his eighth homer of the campaign as the Astros posted a 6-4 win on Monday in the opener of their three-game series.
Correa has recorded multiple hits in four of his last eight contests, with his latest strong effort improving his batting average to .306. Houston, which also received homers from George Springer and Robinson Chirinos, has scored 30 runs during its three-game winning streak. The Royals have dropped four of their last five games and are saddled with a major league-worst 4-13 road record. Hunter Dozier and Adalberto Mondesi each hit a two-run homer on Monday to account for Kansas City's runs.
TV: 8:10 p.m. ET, FS Kansas City, AT&T SportsNet-Southwest (Houston)
PITCHING MATCHUP: Royals LH Danny Duffy (0-1, 3.27 ERA) vs. Astros RH Collin McHugh (3-3, 4.97)
Duffy is making his third start of the season as he comes off a no-decision against Tampa Bay. The 30-year-old registered six strikeouts in as many innings while giving up one run and six hits versus the Rays. Duffy is 2-3 with a 4.50 ERA in nine career appearances (six starts) against the Astros and has struggled to retire Jose Altuve (9-for-19) while shutting down Correa (2-for-14).
McHugh has gone 0-2 over his last three starts while being roughed up for 16 earned runs in 15 innings. The 31-year-old has served up six homers during the span - including one against Minnesota on Wednesday, when he yielded four runs and five hits over six frames in a loss. McHugh has been superb versus Kansas City in his career, going 3-0 while allowing an unearned run over 18 innings in two starts and three relief appearances.
WALK-OFFS
1. Springer belted his 27th career leadoff homer in the series opener.
2. Kansas City recalled Glenn Sparkman from Omaha and optioned fellow RHP Ben Lively to the Triple-A affiliate.
3. Altuve is just 6-for-41 over his last 12 games.