Once again, it looks like the Astros pulled fast-one at the trade deadline. Houston saw something others didn't in Toronto's Yusei Kikuchi, who was enduring a rough season north of the border. But Astros GM Dana Brown viewed the situation differently, focusing upon things such as contact rate and hit placement, all suggesting that Kikuchi was pitching much better than his record suggested with the Blue Jays. The results in August confirm what Brown suspected; Houston has won all five starts made by Kikuchi in August. As for the Royals, they are enduring the dip we suspected after coughing up that 5-2 lead on Wednesday at Cleveland, along with it a chance to sweep that four-game series and go ahead in the AL Central. KC hasn't won since, including last night's 3-2 loss at Minute Maid against Framber Valdez (who pitched seven innings of no-hit ball), and not sure the normal short stints of Cole Ragans will tip the proceedings back in the Royals' direction on Saturday. Play Astros on Money Line