The Toronto Blue Jays will head west to face off against the Kansas City Royals at Ewing M. Kauffman Stadium. Fox Sports Kansas City will televise this AL showdown and the first pitch will be at 8:15 p.m. ET.
Toronto Blue Jays at Kansas City Royals Odds
Oddsmakers have listed Kansas City (+110) as the underdog to Toronto (-120). The total sits at 9.5 runs and bettors can take either the over or the under for -110. Bettors can also wager on the game’s runline with the current odds standing at Blue Jays -1.5 runs (+125) and Royals +1.5 runs (-145).
The Royals are 35-79 straight up (SU) and 52-64 against the spread (ATS). They’ve lost 30.8 units for bettors taking the moneyline and 21.6 units (ATS). Kansas City has covered the spread only twice in its last seven games and the under has hit in three of those seven. The Blue Jays are 52-62 SU and have gone 51-65 ATS. Overall, the team’s lost 9.3 units for moneyline gamblers and 23.8 units ATS. Toronto’s covered the spread only twice over its last seven games and the over has hit in four of those seven.
Kansas City games have a 49-60-7 over/under record in 2018. Blue Jays games have gone over 59 times, gone under 49 times and pushed on eight instances.
As a unit, Kansas City’s pitching staff has given up 5.4 runs per game overall in 2018. Its starting pitching staff has an ERA of 5.27, a WHIP of 1.47 and a strikeouts-per-nine of 7.4. The bullpen has a 5.32 ERA, 1.54 WHIP and 7.1 K/9.
Kansas City’s offense has put up 3.7 runs per outing, including 4.2 per game over its last 10 games and 3.4 per game over its last five. The team’s hit .243/.301/.331 over its last five matchups and is 1-4 SU during that span.
Second baseman Whit Merrifield and third baseman Mike Moustakas have led the Royals’ offense this year. Merrifield is hitting .300/.367/.425 with seven home runs, 37 RBIs, 54 runs and 25 stolen bases, while the line for Moustakas stands at .249/.309/.468 with 20 homers, 62 RBIs and 46 runs.
In the other dugout, Toronto’s pitchers have allowed 5.1 runs per game and its starting pitchers own a 4.85 ERA, 1.41 WHIP and 7.84 K/9. The bullpen has an ERA of 4.64, along with a WHIP of 1.41.
Blue Jays hitters have slashed .245/.316/.429 on their way to 4.6 runs scored per game this season, including 4.8 runs per game over the team’s last 10 games and 5.6 per game over the team’s last five outings (2-3 SU).
First baseman Justin Smoak and third baseman Yangervis Solarte continue to lead Toronto’s hitters. Smoak is slashing .265/.370/.488 with 18 home runs, 59 RBIs and 50 runs scored, while Solarte is hitting .234/.288/.398 with 17 homers, 53 RBIs and 50 runs scored.
Toronto Blue Jays vs. Kansas City Royals Free Pick
Predictions: SU Winner – Royals, ATS Winner – Royals, O/U – UNDER
Betting Notes
- Toronto has recorded 19 extra-base hits over its last five games. Kansas City has eight XBH over its last five.
- Toronto has recorded 24.0 Runs + Hits + Errors per game over its last 10 contests and 27.6 over its last five.
- The Blue Jays have hit 16 home runs in their last 10 games, including nine over their last five.
