The Kansas City Royals will be taking the field against the Toronto Blue Jays in a Saturday showdown. The opening pitch is scheduled for 4:07 p.m. ET and Fox Sports Kansas City will televise this AL matchup.
Kansas City Royals at Toronto Blue Jays Odds
Kansas City (+135) is entering this one as the underdog against Toronto (-145) and oddsmakers have put the Over/Under for this afternoon’s game at 9 runs (-110 for the over and -110 for the under). Bettors can also wager on the game’s runline with the odds standing at -160 for the Royals +1.5 runs and +140 for the Blue Jays -1.5.
The Blue Jays are just 30-52 straight up (SU) and 37-44 against the spread (ATS). The team has lost 17.6 units for moneyline bettors and 13.7 units ATS. Toronto has covered the spread five times in its last seven games and the total went over in five of those seven. The Royals are 28-54 SU and have gone 40-41 against the spread. Overall, the club has lost 15.2 units for moneyline gamblers and 10.9 units ATS. Kansas City has covered the spread five times in its last seven games and the total has gone under in five of those seven.
Neither side has established itself as a strong over/under bet this year. Blue Jays games have had an over/under record of 40-38-3 so far in 2019. Kansas City has an over/under record of 37-37-7.
Homer Bailey is getting the start for the visiting Royals. The right-handed Bailey (7-6, 4.61 ERA) has racked up 72 punchouts in 80 innings so far. He has yet to face the Blue Jays this year and did not record a start against them in 2018, either.
The Blue Jays are handing the ball to righty Marcus Stroman (5-9, 3.04 ERA), who has 77 punchouts and 30 walks, along with a WHIP of 1.25. Stroman did not re a start against the Royals in 2018.
As a unit, Toronto’s pitchers have given up 5.2 runs per game overall this season. The team’s starters have a 5.25 ERA, 1.51 WHIP and 7.3 strikeouts per nine innings. The bullpen has a 4.43 ERA, 1.40 WHIP and 9.7 K/9.
The Toronto hitters are putting up 4.2 runs per contest, including 5.7 per game over its last 10 games and 6.0 per game over their last five. The team’s hit .298/.346/.522 over its last five matchups and is 2-3 SU during that stretch.
The Blue Jays’ hitters have been led by Freddy Galvis and Randal Grichuk. Galvis is slashing .264/.301/.436 with 12 home runs, 38 RBIs and 36 runs scored, while Grichuk’s line is .228/.285/.421 with 15 homers, 34 RBIs and 40 runs scored.
In the other dugout, Kansas City’s pitchers have allowed 5.0 runs per game and its starters own a 5.04 ERA, 1.41 WHIP and 7.37 K/9. The bullpen has logged an ERA of 4.81, along with a K/9 of 8.89.
Royals hitters have slashed .245/.310/.404 on their way to 4.2 runs scored per game this year, including 4.6 runs per game over the team’s last 10 games and 4.2 per game over the team’s last five contests (2-3 SU).
Kansas City’s hitters have been paced by second baseman Whit Merrifield and shortstop Adalberto Mondesi. Merrifield is hitting .299/.347/.497 with 11 home runs, 42 RBIs, 57 runs and 11 stolen bases, while Mondesi is hitting .269/.302/.441 with six homers, 44 RBIs, 40 runs and 27 stolen bases.
The Royals have lost 12.1 units and are 28-30 ATS when facing a righty starter this season. The over has cashed in 27 of those games, compared to 27 that’ve gone under against right-handed starting pitchers. On the other hand, the Blue Jays have lost 16.9 units and are 23-29 ATS when facing a right-handed starting pitcher. The over has hit in 25 of those games, compared to 25 that’ve gone under.
Royals vs. Blue Jays MLB Pick
Predictions: SU Winner – Blue Jays, ATS Winner – Royals, O/U – OVER
Betting Trends
- The over has cashed in five of Toronto’s last seven games.
- The Royals have a team OPS of .714 this season and an OPS of .725 against right-handed pitchers. The Blue Jays’ OPS stands at .697 overall and .689 against righties.
- The Royals have lost three of their last four games SU.
- Kansas City has posted 22.8 Runs + Hits + Errors per game over its last 10 outings and 22.6 over its last five.
- The Royals have hit 10 home runs in their last 10 games. The Blue Jays have hit 20 over their last 10.
