This is an 8* CUSTOMER APPRECIATION MONDAY TOTAL on the UNDER Royals/Astros.

The Astros have played to three straight OVERS, but I think that the opener of this one sets up as more of a "DUEL."

The Royals are now playing out the end of the season. They go with Daniel Lynch, who is 3-3 with a 5.12 ERA. He'll look to duplicate his perfomance against these very Astros from last Tuesday, holding them to one run with five strikeouts over seven innings.

Lynch struggled at the start of the year. He was then sent back down to the Minors. Since his return to the big leagues in late July he's made five starts and posted a 2.34 ERA and 1.14 WHIP.

Houston goes with Zack Greinke, who is 11-3 with a 3.43 ERA and who most recently allowed one run over six innings in a no-decision to these very Royals last Wednesday.

In six starts since the All Star Break, Greinke owns a sharp 2.88 ERA. He's also 9-3 with a 3.35 ERA in all night contests.

The Royals have seen the total go UNDER the number in 11 of their last 13 on the road and all signs point to this strong trend continuing here.

This number is high, the play is the UNDER.

Good luck, NP