The Kansas City Royals are set to host the Toronto Blue Jays at Ewing M. Kauffman Stadium. The opening pitch is scheduled for 1:15 p.m. ET and Fox Sports Kansas City is in line to broadcast this AL showdown.
Toronto Blue Jays vs. Kansas City Royals Odds
Kansas City (-120) is hosting this one as the favorite over Toronto (+110) and oddsmakers have set the Over/Under for this game at 10 runs. Odds for wagering on the game’s total currently sit at -110 for both the over and the under. Bettors can also wager on the game’s runline with the odds coming in at Blue Jays +1.5 runs (-190) and Royals -1.5 runs (+165).
The Blue Jays are 42-67 SU and are 52-56 against the spread (ATS). They’ve lost 17.2 units for moneyline gamblers and 10.2 units ATS. Toronto has covered the spread four times in its last seven games and the over has hit in four of those seven. The Royals, on the other hand, are 40-69 SU and 53-55 ATS. They’ve lost 14.9 units for moneyline bettors and 13.6 units ATS. Kansas City has covered the spread four times in its last seven games and the total has gone over in four of those seven.
Royals games have an over/under record of 52-48-8 in 2019. Toronto has an over/under record of 53-52-3.
Jacob Waguespack is getting the nod for Toronto. The right-handed Waguespack (1-1, 5.63 ERA) has recorded 22 strikeouts in 24 innings so far. He has yet to face the Royals this year and did not record a start against them in 2018, either.
The Royals will put the ball in the right hand of Jakob Junis (6-9, 5.03 ERA), who’s got 120 strikeouts and 45 walks this season as well as a 1.42 WHIP. Junis did not register a start against the Blue Jays in 2018.
As a unit, Kansas City’s pitching staff has given up 5.2 runs per game overall in 2019. Its starters have a 5.14 ERA, 1.43 WHIP and 7.4 strikeouts per nine innings. The bullpen has a 4.70 ERA, 1.51 WHIP and 8.6 K/9.
The Kansas City hitters are putting up 4.3 runs per contest, including 3.4 per game over its last 10 games and 3.6 per game over their last five. The team’s hit .259/.325/.333 over its last five matchups and is 1-4 SU during that span.
The Royals’ batters have been led by second baseman Whit Merrifield and left fielder Alex Gordon. Merrifield is slashing .302/.357/.484 with 12 home runs, 55 RBIs, 75 runs and 15 stolen bases, while Gordon is hitting .284 with 11 homers, 60 RBIs and 61 runs scored.
For the visitors, Toronto’s pitchers have allowed 5.1 runs per game and its starters own a 5.36 ERA, 1.53 WHIP and 7.32 K/9. The bullpen has managed an ERA of 4.23, along with a WHIP of 1.53 and a K/9 of 9.52.
Blue Jays hitters have slashed .233/.302/.411 on their way to 4.4 runs scored per game this year, including 5.1 runs per game over the team’s last 10 games and 7.2 per game over the team’s last five outings (3-2 SU).
Toronto’s offensive production has been powered by Freddy Galvis and Randal Grichuk, who collectively have launched 32 home runs. Galvis is hitting .267/.300/.435 with 15 home runs, 50 RBIs and 49 runs scored, while Grichuk is hitting .231/.289/.414 with 17 homers, 47 RBIs and 48 runs scored.
The Blue Jays have lost 19.1 units and are 33-38 ATS when facing a righty starter this season. The over has hit in 36 of those games, compared to 33 that’ve gone under in such games. On the other hand, the Royals have lost 12.6 units and are 39-40 ATS when facing a right-handed starting pitcher. The over’s hit in 40 of those games, compared to 35 that’ve cashed the under.
Blue Jays at Royals MLB Pick
Predictions: SU Winner – Royals, ATS Winner – Blue Jays, O/U – OVER
Betting Trends
- The over has cashed in four of Toronto’s last seven games.
- The Blue Jays have hit 18 home runs in their last 10 games, including 12 over their last five.
- The Blue Jays have a total OPS of .714 this season and an OPS of .713 against right-handed pitchers. The Royals’ OPS stands at .715 overall and .730 against righties.
- Kansas City has recorded 19.4 Runs + Hits + Errors per game over its last 10 games and 21.6 over its last five.
- The Royals have lost five of their last six games SU.
