![\"Jun](\"https:\/\/images.deadspin.com\/tr:w-1200,fo-auto\/29185827.jpg\")
Jun 12, 2026; Kansas City, Missouri, USA; Houston Astros designated hitter Yordan Alvarez (44) celebrates in the dugout after hitting a grand slam against the Kansas City Royals during the first inning at Kauffman Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Denny Medley-Imagn Images <\/span><\/div>\n<\/section>\nYordan Alvarez is having an MVP-caliber season for the Houston Astros. <\/p>\n<\/section>\n That includes continued success against the Kansas City Royals. <\/p>\n<\/section>\n Following a historic first-inning performance in the opener of this three-game set, Alvarez will look to help the Astros secure their first winning series at Kansas City in four years on Saturday night. <\/p>\n<\/section>\n Alvarez hit a two-run homer and a grand slam during a nine-run first inning for the Astros, who held on for a 10-8 win on Friday night. <\/p>\n<\/section>\n Batting .321 with 24 homers, 54 RBIs and riding a 19-game on-base streak, Alvarez joined Lee May (1974) and Jeff Bagwell (1994) as the only Astros to homer twice in one inning. <\/p>\n<\/section>\n Alvarez and Boston’s David Ortiz (2008) are the only players since 1920 to hit two home runs and post six RBIs in a first inning. <\/p>\n<\/section>\n “Yordan is special. You just tip your cap and enjoy the show,” teammate Jeremy Pena told Space City Home Network. <\/p>\n<\/section>\n Alvarez is batting a superb .350 with 14 home runs and 32 RBIs in 33 career games against the Royals. <\/p>\n<\/section>\n “Incredible what he can do. Just incredible how he’s able to get big hits,” Astros manager Joe Espada said. “He’s just an amazing player.” <\/p>\n<\/section>\n <\/p>\n However, the Astros are 3-7 at Kansas City since last winning a series there in June 2022. And they could have their hands full Saturday against scheduled Royals starter Noah Cameron (3-4, 3.84 ERA), who will face the Astros for the first time. <\/p>\n<\/section>\n The left-hander began his second major league season with a 5.55 ERA and just one quality start through his first seven outings of 2026. However, he’s posted a 1.80 ERA, walked just three batters and recorded a quality start in four of five since then. <\/p>\n<\/section>\n On Sunday at Minnesota, Cameron yielded an unearned run, three hits and struck out seven without a walk over six innings of Kansas City’s 6-5 victory. <\/p>\n<\/section>\n “His stuff was good,” Royals manager Matt Quatraro said. “He’s throwing more strikes early in the count. … His breaking ball has gotten better, and the slider, as well.” <\/p>\n<\/section>\n Though Kansas City scored five times in the bottom of the first on Friday, then got within 9-8 in the eighth, it has lost 13 of the last 18 games at home. <\/p>\n<\/section>\n The Royals’ Michael Massey had two hits with two RBIs on Friday. He’s batting .366 with nine RBIs in his last 11 contests. Teammate Jac Caglianone went 0-for-5 with three strikeouts Friday but still is batting .457 in his last 10 games. <\/p>\n<\/section>\n Scheduled Houston starter Mike Burrows (3-8, 5.77 ERA) will face the Royals for the first time since making his major league debut in 2024. The right-hander has allowed 11 runs — nine earned — and 16 hits, including four homers, while walking seven over 10 innings in losing his last two starts. Both came at home. <\/p>\n<\/section>\n However, Burrows has a 3.12 ERA and three quality starts in his last four games on the road. <\/p>\n<\/section>\n “Try to minimize the damage; that’s always been key for him,” Espada said. “He works really hard. He’s got really good stuff. When this guy is executing, he’s lights out.” <\/p>\n<\/section>\n –Field Level Media<\/p>\n<\/section>\n<\/div>\n