Saturday, August 6, 2016

Kauffman Stadium

For Updated Odds on This Game Click Here

Probable Pitchers: Aaron Sanchez vs. Danny Duffy

The Toronto Blue Jays visit Kauffman Stadium on Saturday to play the Kansas City Royals. The probable starters are Aaron Sanchez for the Blue Jays and Danny Duffy for the Royals. The Blue Jays have a 43-61-5 over/under record and a 57-52-0 run line mark, meaning they cover 52% of the time. The Royals are 56-52-0 against the run line and have a 47-56-5 over/under record. They cover the spread 52% of the time.

The Blue Jays head into this matchup with a 62-47 record, including 30-23 on the road. Starting pitcher Aaron Sanchez has a 11-1 record with an earned run average of 2.71 and a WHIP of 1.13. He has 118 strikeouts over his 139.1 innings pitched and he has given up 117 hits so far this season. He has allowed 7.6 hits per 9 innings and he has a FIP of 3.34. The bullpen this year has an earned run average of 3.97 and they have given up 290 base hits on the year. Teams are hitting .246 against the bullpen while being struck out 298 times and walking 86 times this season. As a team, Toronto has allowed 8.1 hits per nine innings while striking out 7.92 batters per nine. They are 6th in the league in team earned run average at 3.72. The Blue Jays pitchers have collectively given up 894 base hits and 411 earned runs. They have allowed 125 home runs this season and they allow 1.1 homers per nine innings as a staff. Toronto as a pitching staff has walked 299 batters and struck out 874. They walk 2.7 men per 9 innings while striking out 7.9 per 9. They have a team WHIP of 1.20 and their FIP as a unit is 4.04.

As a team, Toronto is batting .248, good for 21st in the league while putting together a .235 average away from home. The Blue Jays hold a .433 team slugging percentage and an on-base percentage of .328 which is good for 10th in baseball. They rank 20th in baseball with 8.46 hits per game. Edwin Encarnacion comes into this game hitting .265 and his on-base percentage is at .353. He has 107 hits this season along with 67 runs scored and 91 runs batted in. He's struck out 97 times and has walked 53 times. Josh Donaldson is hitting .298 and he has an on-base percentage of .407. He has totaled 121 hits so far while scoring 89 runs and he's driven in 77. He has walked 70 times and has struck out 81 times. The Blue Jays have 922 hits, including 192 doubles and 156 home runs. They've stolen 34 bases while they've been thrown out stealing 15 times. Toronto has walked 413 times this season and they've struck out 929 times as a unit. They've left 739 men on base and have a team OPS of .761. They score 4.84 runs per contest and have scored a total of 528 runs so far this year.

Kansas City comes into this matchup with a 32-19 home record and a 51-57 overall mark. With an earned run average of 2.98, Danny Duffy has a 7-1 record and a 1.02 WHIP. He has 126 strikeouts over the 108.2 innings he's pitched during which he has given up 88 hits. He has allowed 7.3 hits per nine innings and his FIP stands at 3.19. So far this season the bullpen has an earned run average of 3.47 and they have given up 333 base hits on the year. Teams are hitting .244 against the Royals bullpen while being struck out 338 times and walking 127 times this season. As a team, Kansas City has allowed 8.8 hits per nine innings while striking out 8.29 batters per nine. They are 22nd in the league in team earned run average at 4.35. The Royals pitchers as a team have surrendered 926 base knocks and 458 earned runs so far this season. They have given up 146 home runs this year and they give up 1.4 home runs per nine innings as a staff. Kansas City as a staff has walked 348 hitters and struck out 873. They give up a walk 3.3 times per 9 innings while they strike out 8.3 per 9. Their team WHIP is 1.35 while their FIP as a staff is 4.53.

As a team, they are batting .263, good for 7th in the league while putting together a .282 average at home. The Royals hold a .395 team slugging percentage and an on-base percentage of .312 which is good for 22nd in baseball. They rank 10th in baseball with 8.94 hits per contest. Eric Hosmer comes into this matchup batting .279 and he has an OBP of .338. He has 114 hits this year along with 54 runs scored and 59 RBI. He's struck out 90 times and has walked on 36 occasions. Alcides Escobar is hitting .253 and he has an OBP of .280. He has collected 112 hits so far while he's scored 35 runs and drove in 27. He has earned a walk 17 times and has punched out 63 times. The Royals as a unit have 964 base hits, including 178 doubles and 92 homers. They have 64 stolen bases while they've been thrown out 20 times. Kansas City as a team has walked 247 times this year and they have struck out 797 times. They've had 708 men left on base and have an OPS of .707. They score 3.81 runs per game and have totaled 412 runs so far this season.

Toronto Blue Jays Betting Trends

The Toronto Blue Jays are 43-61-5 against the over/under so far this season

The Toronto Blue Jays are 57-52-0 against the run line so far this season

Kansas City Royals Betting Trends

The Kansas City Royals are 47-56-5 against the over/under so far this season

The Kansas City Royals are 56-52-0 against the run line so far this season

Injuries to Watch

Toronto Blue Jays

08/02/16 RF Ezequiel Carrera Achilles 15-day DL (8/1)
06/27/16 P Gavin Floyd Shoulder 60-day DL (6/26)

Kansas City Royals

07/31/16 P Wade Davis Hip 15-day DL (7/30)
07/29/16 P Luke Hochevar Shoulder 15-day DL (7/25)
07/19/16 P Kris Medlen Shoulder 60-day DL (5/11)
05/26/16 3B Mike Moustakas Knee 60-day DL (5/23); out for season
04/10/16 P Mike Minor Shoulder 60-day DL (3/15)
04/04/16 P Tim Collins Elbow 60-day DL; out for season
03/31/16 P Jason Vargas Elbow 60-day DL (3/15)

Josh'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 Josh Schonwald