Edinson Volquez (13-10, 3.58 ERA) and the Kansas City Royals go up against Marco Estrada (14-8, 3.07 ERA) and the Toronto Blue Jays in Game 1 of the League Championship Series at Ewing M. Kauffman Stadium. The game starts at 8:07 p.m. ET on Friday, Oct. 16 and will air on FOX.
In Game 3 of the Divisional Playoffs, Volquez pitched 5.2 innings, giving up three runs, striking out eight and walking four in a 4-2 loss to the Astros. Kendrys Morales (.289, 84 Rs, 25 HRs, 112 RBIs) went 1 for 4 Wednesday with one run, one home run, and three RBIs. The Blue Jays were victorious the last time Estrada pitched. He had a good outing, pitching 6.1 innings, allowing one run and striking out four in a 5-1 victory over the Rangers. Jose Bautista (.251, 111 Rs, 42 HRs, 119 RBIs, 8 SBs) has been doing well, going 2 for 4 Wednesday with one run, one home run, and four RBIs.
Kansas City is a +130 underdog in this game, and the Over/Under (O/U) is set at seven runs. When playing as the underdog, the Royals have a 37-30 record and overall money line at +1,904. They have been a terror on the base paths, ranking fifth in all of baseball with 108 steals.
Moving on to the opposing team, the Blue Jays come into this game with a solid win percentage of .661 when playing as the favorite (72-37) and an overall money line of +979. Over the past 10 matchups, the team is 6-4 SU and has played well as the favorite with a 5-1 record. Toronto is one of the top home-run-hitting teams in the league with 240 home runs. The Blue Jays average 3.5 walks per game, making them the most disciplined team in the AL. Toronto’s pitching staff has allowed an average of 5.4 runs per game during the last 10 games, higher than their season average of 4.1. They also allow just 2.5 walks per game, the best in the AL.
The Blue Jays have gotten the better of the Royals in head-to-head matchups this season, going 4-3.
Predictions: SU Winner – TOR, O/U – Over
Notes
The Royals are coming into this game after allowing no walks during their last outing. The Blue Jays have a 3-4 record when opponents don’t give up any walks.
When they are outhit, the Blue Jays are 14-56. The Royals have a 15-59 record when opponents outhit them.
Ranking 20th in home runs, Kansas City has hit 147 this season. Toronto ranks second with 240 home runs.
Kansas City and Toronto both rank in the top five of the league in hits. Kansas City sits at second with 9.24 hits per game and Toronto ranks fourth with 9.12.
Ranking first in on-base plus slugging percentage, Toronto has an OPS of .797 this season. Kansas City ranks ninth with an OPS of .737.
When the Blue Jays allow at least one home run, they are 56-51. When the Royals allow one or more homers, they have a 44-53 record.
