Friday, October 15, 2015

Kauffman Stadium

For Updated Odds on This Game Click Here

Probable Pitchers: Marco Estrada (14-8) vs. Edinson Volquez (13-10)

The Toronto Blue Jays take on the Kansas City Royals on Friday at Kauffman Stadium in Game 1 of the American League Championship Series. The probable starters are Marco Estrada for the Blue Jays and Edinson Volquez for the Royals. The opening line for this matchup has Toronto at -140 and Kansas City at +130. The over/under was set at 7. The Blue Jays, with a 93-74 run line record, cover the spread 56% of the time. They also have a 81-74 over/under record. The Royals have a 76-77 over/under record and a 91-76 run line mark, which means they are covering the spread 55% of the time.

The Blue Jays show up with a 96-71 record, including 42-41 on the road. Starting pitcher Marco Estrada holds a 14-8 record with an earned run average of 3.07 and a WHIP of 1.04. In his starts, the Blue Jays are 17-12 over his 187.1 innings pitched this season while giving up 139 hits during those innings. Their record against the over/under when he starts is 12-16. His teammates are averaging 5 runs a game when he pitches. The bullpen has given up 412 hits on the season and have an earned run average of 3.50. Teams are hitting .229 against the bullpen while being struck out 459 times and walking 130 times this season. As a team, Toronto has allowed 8.41 hits per nine innings while striking out 6.98 batters per nine. They are 12th in the league in team earned run average at 3.78.

Toronto ranks 3rd in the league in team batting average at .267 while hitting .261 on the road. The Blue Jays on-base percentage sits at .338, which puts them at 1st in the league and they have a team slugging percentage of .456. They rank 7th in baseball with 9.11 hits per game and Josh Donaldson leads the team with 188.

Kansas City is 53-31 at home while holding a 98-69 overall record on the season. With an earned run average of 3.58, Edinson Volquez will come into this game holding a 13-10 record and a 1.32 WHIP. In his starts, the Royals are 22-12 and he has allowed 195 hits over 206 innings pitched this season. Their record against the over/under when he starts is 16-15. His teammates score an average of 4.9 runs a game when he pitches. The bullpen has given up 419 hits on the season and have a team earned run average of 2.72. Teams are hitting .211 against the Royals bullpen while being struck out 502 times and walking 191 times this season. As a team, Kansas City has allowed 8.48 hits per nine innings while striking out 7.33 batters per nine. They are 11th in the league in team earned run average at 3.75.

They rank 2nd in the league in team batting average with a .268 average while hitting .279 at home. The Royals on-base percentage sits at .322, which puts them at 11th in the league and they have a team slugging percentage of .413. They rank 4th in baseball with 9.2 hits per game and Eric Hosmer leads the team with 182.

In terms of team defense, the Blue Jays have a fielding percentage of .985 with 88 total errors, 1,592 assists and 4,323 put outs. For the home team, they hold a .985 team fielding percentage while committing 88 errors, accumulating 1,611 assists and compiling 4,356 put outs.

Toronto Blue Jays Betting Trends

The Toronto Blue Jays are 81-74 against the over/under so far this season

The Toronto Blue Jays are 93-74 against the run line so far this season

Kansas City Royals Betting Trends

The Kansas City Royals are 76-77 against the over/under so far this season

The Kansas City Royals are 91-76 against the run line so far this season

Injuries to Watch

Toronto Blue Jays

10/09/15 P Brett Cecil Calf out indefinitely
07/29/15 2B Devon Travis Shoulder Injury is on the 60 day disabled list (7/29)
05/10/15 RF Michael Saunders Knee Injury is on the 60 day disabled list (5/10)
04/06/15 2B Maicer Izturis Groin Injury is on the 60 day disabled list (3/27)

Kansas City Royals

09/24/15 P Greg Holland Elbow out for season
09/19/15 2B Omar Infante Oblique out indefinitely
07/22/15 P Jason Vargas Elbow Injury is on the 15 day disabled list (7/22); out for season
05/17/15 P Brian Flynn Shoulder Injury is on the 60 day disabled list (5/16)
04/06/15 P Tim Collins Elbow Injury is on the 15 day disabled list (4/6)

Tony's Pick: Take the Blue Jays

Get $60 worth of FREE premium member picks. No Obligation. No Salesman. No Credit Card. Fast Sign up with Instant Access Click Here

Read more articles by Tony Sink