Kansas City Royals vs
Toronto Blue JaysPredictions & Preview

Blue Jays Favored to Win Series Opener Against Royals in Toronto, Potential Bullpen Game for Kansas City

The Kansas City Royals and Toronto Blue Jays will begin a three-game series in Toronto on Monday night. The Royals have not announced a starting pitcher yet due to recent injuries, potentially leading to a bullpen game. The Blue Jays will start rookie righty Yariel Rodriguez. The game is set for 7:07 PM EST with Toronto favored to win.

Betting Odds

• Moneyline: Royals +130 | Blue Jays -150
• Spread: Royals +1.5 (-161) | Blue Jays -1.5 (+140)
• Total: Over/Under 8.5 (-110)
• Based on the moneyline, the implied probability that Toronto will win straight-up is 60%.

Kansas City vs Toronto Stats

Kansas City Royals

The Kansas City Royals are heading into Toronto hoping to extend their recent success against the Blue Jays, despite a setback in their series against the Tigers on Sunday. The team's starting pitcher Michael Wacha struggled in the loss, but the pitching staff as a whole has been strong this season with a team ERA of 3.14. With key injuries to several players, the Royals are considering their options for Monday's starting pitcher, including potentially utilizing Daniel Lynch IV or employing a bullpen game. Overall, Kansas City has been performing well this season with a power ranking of 4, ranking 10th in offense and first in defense, while holding a record of 17-12. For more insights on the MLB season, check out our Free MLB Picks for potential opportunities to cash in.

Toronto Blue Jays Analysis

The Toronto Blue Jays have struggled in recent seasons despite having a strong roster. They managed to avoid a sweep against the Dodgers with a 3-1 win in their series finale. Starter Kevin Gausman impressed, allowing just one run in seven innings. Catcher Alejandro Kirk had a standout performance, going 3-for-3 with a home run. Rookie Yariel Rodriguez will make his fourth start on Monday night, looking to improve on his 0-1 record. The team is dealing with multiple key injuries, including players like Adrian Pinto and Joey Votto. The Blue Jays currently have a power ranking of 22 and rank 25th in offense, 22nd in defense, and have an overall record of 13-15. In their last three matchups, Kansas City went 0-3 against Toronto.

Toronto Blue Jays poised for victory in series opener against Kansas City Royals

The Toronto Blue Jays have the opportunity to start the series on a positive note, facing what is likely to be a bullpen game for the Kansas City Royals. The Blue Jays may still feel unsettled after the final game of their previous series in Kansas City was called off prematurely, with the Blue Jays trailing by just one run. Although Toronto has achieved an even record at home this season, they notably boasted a 53-48 record at home in 2023 with a batting average of nearly .250. The Blue Jays will be pitching Rodriguez, who has demonstrated strong strikeout potential this season with 15 strikeouts in 11.2 innings and an ERA of 3.86 in his first three starts. With these factors in mind, I predict that the Blue Jays will emerge victorious in the opening game on Monday night, and recommend taking the Jays with the money line.

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