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The Toronto Blue Jays host the Kansas City Royals for Game 1 of a 4-game series! It's time to continue our MLB odds series with a Royals-Blue Jays prediction and pick.
Before this series even started there has been a lot of newsworthy stuff going on in each clubhouse. Let's start with the away team, as the Royals enter Toronto down 10 men because they are unvaccinated. Andrew Benintendi is the focal point of that group and the Royals will desperately miss his ability. The Royals are trending in the wrong direction as that has been the case since their 2015 World Series title. As the All-Star Game approaches, KC is (35-53) and last in the Al Central Division.
The Blue Jays are in the headlines this week as they shocked the MLB world by firing manager Charlie Montoyo. The Jays are going through a slump right now, but are still considered one of the more dangerous teams out there. A team that has two infielders starting in the All-Star Game. However, a (47-42) record isn't good enough in the AL East. The New York Yankees have pretty much locked up that division and the Jays sit tied for 3rd with the Boston Red Sox. There is no better team for the Jays to face right now as they're trying to get back on track.
Here are the Royals-Blue Jays MLB odds, courtesy of FanDuel.
MLB Odds: Royals-Blue Jays Odds
Kansas City Royals: +1.5 (+152)
Toronto Blue Jays: -1.5 (-184)
Over: 8.5 (-112)
Under: 8.5 (-108)
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Why The Royals Could Cover The Spread
The Royals will have a hard time covering this spread Thursday night. Their starting pitcher is undecided, and their lineup is still unannounced. It's tough to tell how well this team will do as they face a very dominant starter in Kevin Gausman tonight. With this team already slumping, and a majority of their starters now allowed to enter the country, the Royals are pretty much doomed for this series. Whoever ends up playing will need to prove they can get on base or get opposing hitters out but for right now, the Royals should be avoided for a lot of bets.
Why The Blue Jays Could Cover The Spread
Gausman will get the start tonight for the Jays. Gausman has been excellent this season with a (6-6) record and 2.86 ERA in 88 innings. He left last game against the Rays after just two innings but didn't give up a run. In the game before that, he shut out the Red Sox by pitching seven scoreless innings and striking out 10. That was one of his better performances of the season and you will likely see him pitch a similar game tonight. Without Benintendi for the Royals, they don't have many threats in that lineup.
As mentioned earlier, the Jays have two starters for the American League. Vlad Guerrero Jr. and Alejandro Kirk have been mashing all year long and because of it will get recognition next week in Los Angeles. If those two keep pace then I'm sure the Jays will have enough run support to cover this spread at home tonight. However, not knowing who the opposing starter will be can be frustrating.
Final Royals-Blue Jays Prediction & Pick
This should be an easy call. Take the Blue Jays at home with Gausman on the mound. If the Royals end up winning this game, then the Jays are seriously in trouble.
Final Royals-Blue Jays Prediction & Pick: Blue Jays -1.5 (-184)
