Runs may be hard to come by in this one as Danny Duffy (7-1, 2.98 ERA) and the Kansas City Royals (51-58) meet Aaron Sanchez (11-1, 2.71 ERA) and the Toronto Blue Jays (63-47) in the second of a three-game series at Ewing M. Kauffman Stadium. The Blue Jays won the last game 4-3, and Toronto leads the series 1-0. The game starts at 7:15 p.m. ET on Saturday, Aug. 6 and will air on FSKC and RSN.
In his most recent outing, Duffy pitched 8.0 innings, allowing zero runs, striking out 16 and walking one in a 3-0 victory over the Rays. Kendrys Morales (.243, 39 Rs, 17 HRs, 50 RBIs) played well again yesterday, going 2 for 4. The Blue Jays were unsuccessful the last time Sanchez pitched. He pitched well, going 7.0 innings, giving up two runs, striking out three and walking two in a 6-2 loss to the Orioles. Josh Donaldson (.299, 90 Rs, 27 HRs, 77 RBIs, 6 SBs) went 1 for 2 yesterday with one run.
Kansas City is a +110 underdog in this game, and the Over/Under (O/U) is set at seven runs. The Royals have a losing record of 25-45 when playing as the underdog and an overall money line of -384. They are 2-7 as the underdog over their last 10 games. Kansas City has averaged 2.4 runs per game over the last 10 games, lower than its season average of 3.8. As for the pitching staff, the Royals are fourth in the AL in hits allowed with just 8.6 per game.
Across the field, the Blue Jays have a nice record of 50-31 when they are favored and are +202 overall with the money line. Over the past 10 matchups, the team is 7-3 SU and has played well as the favorite with a 5-2 record. The Blue Jays are known for their bats, hitting 367 extra base hits. The Blue Jays average 3.8 walks per game, making them the most disciplined team in the AL. The Blue Jays are the top pitching staff in the AL, essentially shutting down opponents to the tune of 4.1 runs allowed per game. They have a WHIP of 1.200 on the year, good for fourth in the league.
So far this season, the Blue Jays are 4-0 against the Royals. The Royals will take on a right-hander (Sanchez) in this game and have a 40-44 record against right-handed starting pitchers this season. The left-handed Duffy will take the mound against the Blue Jays, who have a 15-16 record against lefty starters this season.
Predictions: SU Winner – TOR, O/U – Under
Notes
For the 13th time this season, the Blue Jays registered at least two errors in a game.
The Royals managed to give up five walks in their last game. They’ll have to pick it up against the Blue Jays who are coming in with a 21-13 record against opponents who give up that many walks or more.
It looks like the Blue Jays have a slight leg up on the Royals, as the Blue Jays have won their last four games while the Royals have lost their last three.
When they outhit their opponents, the Royals are 41-16. The Blue Jays have a 50-9 record when outhitting opponents.
Ranking 27th, Kansas City is near the bottom of the league in runs, scoring 415 this season. Toronto ranks in the top 10 at sixth with 532.
Ranking 30th, Kansas City is at the bottom of the league in walks, notching 249 this season. Toronto ranks in the top five at second with 418.
When the Royals hit at least one home run, they are 36-32. When the Blue Jays hit at least one homer, they have a 55-28 record.