MLB Predictions: Will Royals pull off upset vs. Blue Jays? 9/20/17
Will the Royals pull off the upset tonight in Toronto where they’ll visit the Blue Jays at 7:07PM ET?
The Odds: Royals at Blue Jays, 7:07PM ET, Rogers Centre
According to oddsmakers, Toronto is a -118 money line favorite to win tonight at home. That makes Kansas City a +108 money line underdog to pull off the upset. As for the total, the number hit the board at 9.5 but has been bet down to 9.
Kansas City Royals
Kansas City will send Jakob Junis to the hill tonight. Junis made a strong bid to end the Indians’ winning streak Thursday, holding the Tribe to one run over 5 2/3 innings in a no-decision.
Junis came at the king and he didn’t miss, scattering seven hits and a walk over his 5 2/3 innings of work. And he left in line to be the one to end the Indians’ streak at 21 games, what would have been his eighth win of the season. Instead, the maligned Royals bullpen blew the lead in the ninth and ended up losing in extras. It doesn’t take away from the night Junis had, who now has a 4.15 ERA and 1.32 WHIP in 17 appearances, including 13 starts.
Toronto Blue Jays
Toronto will counter with Brett Anderson, who was cleared to pitch tonight against Kansas. Anderson dealt with a blister on his finger in his last start, making it just 4 1/3 innings against the Twins, but he threw a light bullpen session Sunday without issue. The 29-year-old left-hander has posted a decent 3.27 ERA, 1.23 WHIP, and 15/4 K/BB ratio in four starts (22 innings) since joining the Blue Jays.
Our Prediction
The Royals have won five of Junis’ last seven starts and are 4-1 in his last five outings when he faces a team with a losing record. Kansas City is also 7-3 in its last 10 road games when facing a left-handed starter.
The Blue Jays, meanwhile, are just 3-7 in their last 10 games after scoring five runs or more in their previous contest. They’re 3-9 in their last 12 games when their opponent allows five runs or more in its previous game. Furthermore, Toronto is just 1-4 in its last five games after scoring two runs or less in its previous game.
Wednesday MLB Prediction: Kansas City Royals +108
