Kansas City Royals vs
Toronto Blue JaysPredictions & Preview

Toronto Blue Jays Favored to Win Friday Night's Crucial Matchup Against Kansas City Royals

The Royals and Blue Jays are set to face off in a crucial weekend series in Toronto, with both teams vying for playoff spots in a competitive American League. The pitching matchup for the series opener will be between Michael Wacha of the Royals and Kevin Gausman of the Blue Jays. With the first pitch scheduled for 7:05 PM EST, fans can expect an exciting game as both teams look to bolster their postseason hopes. Be sure to read on for more insights and predictions on this matchup.

Betting Odds

• Moneyline: Royals +131 | Blue Jays -156
• Spread: Royals +1.5 (-160) | Blue Jays -1.5 (+125)
• Total: Over/Under 8 (-110)
• Based on the moneyline, the implied probability that Toronto will win straight-up is 61%.

Kansas City Royals

The Kansas City Royals are still in contention for a playoff spot in the American League, as evidenced by their recent moves and performance on the field. They signed starter Seth Lugo to a new deal and traded for veteran outfielder Randal Grichuk. The team recently won two out of three games against the Braves, with a walk-off RBI single from Salvatore Perez in the last game. Despite being just one game under .500, the Royals are still in the wildcard race and are trailing the first-place Tigers in the AL Central Division. The team will start veteran righty Michael Wacha in their upcoming game against the Blue Jays, who has a 4-9 record with a 3.53 ERA this season. The Royals will be without several key players due to injuries, including Mark Canha, Michael Massey, Nick Loftin, and Daniel Lynch IV.

Toronto Blue Jays

The Toronto Blue Jays have hit a slight setback in their journey to the top of the AL East Division, but they have demonstrated their commitment by making key acquisitions during the Trade Deadline. In a recent game against the Orioles, they managed to end a four-game losing streak with a 9-8 win, highlighted by Nathan Lukes' three-run home run in the 7th inning. With a four-game lead over the Yankees and five over the Red Sox, the Blue Jays are entering August with high hopes. They are set to rely on right-hander Kevin Gausman in their upcoming game, who has shown consistent performance this season with a record of 7-7, including 10 quality starts. Gausman's recent strong performance with 10 strikeouts against the Tigers bodes well for the team. Despite some key injuries, the Blue Jays remain determined to continue their winning streak.

Toronto Blue Jays Favored to Win Friday Night's Game Against Michael Wacha-led Opponents

The Toronto Blue Jays are expected to have the advantage in Friday night's game, particularly on the mound. Kevin Gausman, with a home record of 4-2 this season, has led the team to victory in four of his last five starts. In contrast, Michael Wacha has struggled on the road, with a high ERA of 4.53 and five losses in seven decisions. The Blue Jays boast an impressive record at home, standing 20 games over .500 this season. Their team batting average is close to .270, and they are entering the game with a strong offensive performance, scoring 9 runs in their previous game. Given the need to maintain their standing in the competitive AL East, the Blue Jays are predicted to dominate both on the mound and at the plate. Betting on the Blue Jays to win with the money line is advised.

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