The Toronto Blue Jays have a lot of history to buck if they want to come back and win the American League Championship Series against the Kansas City Royals, but luckily for the Jays they were stellar at home this season. Toronto's 53-28 home record was tied for the best in the American League during the regular season.
Of the past 25 teams to go down 2-0 in the Championship Series, only three have come back to make it to the World Series (‘04 Red Sox, ‘85 Cardinals, ‘85 Royals). When you look at best-of-seven series all-time, the teams that have won the first two games have a 62-13 series record.
The Blue Jays, whose offense carried them through the year, has only scored three runs in the series so far. Only once in the second half of the season did the Jays score three runs or less over a two games span. Marcus Stroman, who has only allowed 10 earned runs in his six starts this year, will get the start for the Jays in Game 3.
The Royals are starting to turn it on after a shaky start in the ALDS round, winning their past four games by a combined score of 27-11. The Royals will send Johnny Cueto to the bump, with the one-time all-star finding his form again in his last outing. In his two starts this postseason, Cueto has posted a 3.86 ERA but has allowed two home runs, which could cause problems in the hitter friendly park that is Rogers Centre.
Sportsbook Odds & Computer Pick
The Kansas City Royals were listed as 160 underdogs on the MLB baseball moneyline at many online sportsbooks, including Sportsbook. The total was set at 8 before betting started earlier on Monday over at Sportsbook.
Odds Shark computer prediction handicapping models run on this game pick a 5.7-5.1 victory for the Blue Jays. View the computer score prediction and who will win the pick on the moneyline for all upcoming MLB matchups here.
Kansas City Royals vs Toronto Blue Jays Matchup
Team Betting Records & Power Rankings
96-73 Toronto battles the Royals, currently with a 100-69 mark. Stay Informed: follow us on Twitter for odds specials, betting line moves and Toronto vs Kansas City injuries news.
The Toronto Blue Jays vs Kansas City Royals odds would favor the Blue Jays if the betting lines were set according to our power ranks. Toronto is rated No. 3 in the current Odds Shark poll, while Kansas City is at No. 19.
Statistical Matchup
Offensively, the game matches up Toronto Blue Jays No. 1 ranked offense (5.44 runs per game) against a Kansas City Royals defense and pitching staff that sits at No. 9 at 3.93 runs allowed per game. The Toronto Blue Jays have been averaging 9.07 hits per game, less than the Kansas City Royals have managed so far this season (9.19 hits on average).
Comparing defensive stats, Kansas City owns the No. 8-rated road mark, allowing 4.07 runs per game on the highway. Toronto, on the other hand, rates No. 2 in scoring at home.
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Kansas City at Toronto, Tuesday, October 20th