The Astros and Royals open up their best-of-five American League Division Series when they take the field Thursday night at Kauffman Stadium.

Royals Rotation Limps Into Postseason

Houston is in its first division series since winning the NLDS in 2004 and is coming off of a 3-0 victory over the Yankees in the Wild Card Game on Tuesday. Kansas City, meanwhile, ended a 29-year playoff drought last season and is in back-to-back postseasons for the first time since 1984-85 after winning the AL Central.

Colin McHugh (19-7, 3.89 ERA) toes the rubber for the Astros, while the Royals counter with Yordano Ventura (13-8, 4.08).

Carlos Correa Reacts To Tasting First Beer

Game Preview

Matchup: Astros at Royals ALDS Game 1

Time: 7:30 p.m. ET

Venue: Kauffman Stadium, Kansas City, Mo.

Radio: Astros (KBME 790); Royals (KCSP 610)

Betting Odds: Royals (-1.5, +150) via Sportsbook.

This game can be live streamed for free here.

Key Storylines

--The Royals finished 51-30 in the regular season at home, while the Astros were 33-48 on the road.

--Houston toppled Kansas City in the season series by winning four of six meetings in the regular season.

--Royals outfielder Lorenzo Cain is a .308-career postseason hitter and he finished the regular season second in the AL in stolen bases (28) and fifth in batting average (.307). Astros second baseman Jose Altuve went 1-for-4 in his playoff debut against the Yankees after leading the AL with 200 hits and finishing third with a .313 batting average in the regular season.

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