PREMIUM
Toronto Blue Jays -158 (6*)
(MLB) Kansas City vs. Toronto,
Money Line: -158.00 Toronto (Home)
Result: Win
Money Line: -158.00 Toronto (Home)
Result: Win
The Blue Jays were able to bounce back and win three straight versus Texas in the Division Series, and they find themselves in a desperate situation once again, trailing Kansas City 2-0 in the ALDS. With the series shifting back to Toronto for Game 3, my money is on the Jays to get one back.
Here are my keys to the game:
1. Pitching - The Royals hand the ball to Johnny Cueto (11-13, 3.44 ERA) who has struggled since coming over to the American League. Kansas City had high hopes when acquiring the ace from Cincinnati but won just four of his 13 regular-season starts. He's also struggled somewhat on the road all season posting a 5-9 record behind a 3.80 ERA which is almost a full run higher than his mark in front of the home-town crowd. The Jays counter with Marcus Stroman who made just four regular-season starts after spending most of the season rehabilitating from knee surgery. He has the advantage of coming into the playoffs fresh as a daisy, and gave up only six runs (five earned) on 11 hits and a three walks over 13 innings of work in the ALCS against the hard-hitting Rangers.
2. Home Cookin' - Toronto has won five of the last six meetings at Rogers Centre and its 5-1 in Stromans last six starts home at Toronto overall. The Royals meanwhile have lost five of Cueto's last six starts away from home.
3. X-Factor - Edwin Encarnacion is 4-for-7 with a double and a homer in previous meetings with Cueto and batting .320 here in the post-season so far.
Selection: This is a play on the Toronto Blue Jays (6*)
Here are my keys to the game:
1. Pitching - The Royals hand the ball to Johnny Cueto (11-13, 3.44 ERA) who has struggled since coming over to the American League. Kansas City had high hopes when acquiring the ace from Cincinnati but won just four of his 13 regular-season starts. He's also struggled somewhat on the road all season posting a 5-9 record behind a 3.80 ERA which is almost a full run higher than his mark in front of the home-town crowd. The Jays counter with Marcus Stroman who made just four regular-season starts after spending most of the season rehabilitating from knee surgery. He has the advantage of coming into the playoffs fresh as a daisy, and gave up only six runs (five earned) on 11 hits and a three walks over 13 innings of work in the ALCS against the hard-hitting Rangers.
2. Home Cookin' - Toronto has won five of the last six meetings at Rogers Centre and its 5-1 in Stromans last six starts home at Toronto overall. The Royals meanwhile have lost five of Cueto's last six starts away from home.
3. X-Factor - Edwin Encarnacion is 4-for-7 with a double and a homer in previous meetings with Cueto and batting .320 here in the post-season so far.
Selection: This is a play on the Toronto Blue Jays (6*)