Yordano Ventura (13-9, 4.25 ERA) and the Kansas City Royals meet David Price (19-7, 2.77 ERA) and the Toronto Blue Jays in Game 6 of the League Championship Series at Ewing M. Kauffman Stadium. The game gets underway at 8:07 p.m. ET on Friday, Oct. 23 and will air on FS1.
In Game 2 of the League Championship Series, Ventura pitched 5.1 innings, giving up three runs, striking out six and walking two in a 6-3 victory over the Blue Jays. The Blue Jays were unsuccessful the last time Price pitched. He did not do well, pitching 6.2 innings, allowing five runs and striking out eight in a 6-3 loss to the Royals. Jose Bautista (.252, 113 Rs, 42 HRs, 122 RBIs, 8 SBs) has been doing well, going 2 for 3 Wednesday with one run and one RBI.
Kansas City is a +135 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. The Royals rank fourth in the majors in extra base hits with 512. The Royals are a nightmare on the bases for opponents with 110 steals, one of the highest totals in baseball.
On the other side, the Blue Jays have a nice record of 72-37 when they are favored and are +979 overall with the money line. They have played at the top of their game when rated as the favorite recently. They managed a 5-1 record when playing as the favorite and a SU record of 6-4. Toronto is the top home-run-hitting team in the league with 244 home runs. The Blue Jays average 3.5 walks per game, making them the most disciplined team in the AL. The last 10 games have really brought the worst out of the Toronto pitchers. They allowed 5.4 runs per game during that span, which is higher than their season average of 4.1. They also allow just 2.5 walks per game, the best in the AL.
This game will feature Price (LHP) on the mound against the Royals, who have a 31-26 record when they take on a left-handed starter. Taking the hill against the Blue Jays will be the right-hander Ventura. They sport a 73-54 record against righties.
Predictions: SU Winner – TOR, O/U – Over
Notes
Having scored one run in their last game, the Royals are going to have to step it up if they want to win this matchup. The Blue Jays have a 30-0 record in games where opponents scored one run or less.
When they are outhit, the Blue Jays are 15-58. The Royals have a 16-60 record when opponents outhit them.
Ranking first in home runs, Toronto has hit 244 this season. Kansas City ranks 18th with 152 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.
Toronto tops the league for its on-base plus slugging percentage of .795 this season. Kansas City ranks in the top 10 at eighth with an OPS of .739.
When the Blue Jays allow at least one home run, they are 58-53. When the Royals allow one or more homers, they have a 44-55 record.
