Toronto Blue Jays vs Kansas City Royals Prediction 4-29-24 Picks

The Kansas City Royals and the Toronto Blue Jays meet Monday in MLB action from Rogers Centre. Here’s a Toronto Blue Jays vs Kansas City Royals prediction. This will be the first installment in a three-game series. We will look at this from a betting perspective and determine the best bets for the game.

Kansas City Royals Betting Preview

The Royals played the Detroit Tigers over the weekend. Kansas City won 8-0 in the opener of that set, then fell 6-5 in game two. In the Sunday rubber match, the Royals took a 4-1 loss with five team hits along the way. Michael Wacha gave up all four earned on nine hits with three Ks in 5.2 innings as starter.

In the starting pitcher slot for the Monday opener, the Royals are going with Jonathan Bowlan in his season debut. Bowlan has a career record of 0-1 with a 3.00 ERA in two games (one start) at the MLB level. Bowlan has three Ks in 3.0 innings total.

Toronto Blue Jays Betting Preview

Over on the Blue Jays’ side, they played the Los Angeles Dodgers in three games during their last series. Toronto lost 12-2 on Friday and 4-2 in game two. On Sunday the Jays out-hit Los Angeles 8-6 in a 3-1 win. Kevin Gausman had a nice outing in the start with his 7.0 innings, one earned, five hits, no walks and five strikeouts.

As starter for Monday’s opener, Toronto will send out Yariel Rodriguez. In three starts this year (the first three of his career), Rodriguez is 0-1 with a 3.86 ERA and 15 strikeouts over 11.2 total innings.

Royals vs Blue Jays Injury Notes

Royals RP Carlos Hernandez began his rehab assignment with Triple-A Omaha back on Friday. Hernandez is on the 15-day Injured List due to a shoulder issue.

Toronto SP Brandon Barriera is set to undergo surgery on his left elbow. RP Chad Green (shoulder) was set to begin throwing soon. Green is on the 15-day Injured List.

Toronto Blue Jays Team Facts

• The Blue Jays have won each of their last six home games against the Royals.
• The Blue Jays have failed to cover the run line in seven of their last eight night games against AL Central opponents following a home win.
• The Blue Jays have trailed after 3 innings in each of their last five home games against AL Central opponents that held a winning record.
• The ‘Inning 1 UNDER 0.5 runs’ market has hit in each of the Blue Jays’ last six home games against American League opponents.
• The Blue Jays have led after 5 innings in each of their last six night games at Rogers Centre against American League opponents.

Kansas City Royals Team Facts

• The Royals have lost each of their last seven games at Rogers Centre following a loss.
• The Royals have covered the run line in each of their last six night games following a road loss.
• The Royals have led after 3 innings in each of their last three games as road underdogs against AL East opponents.
• The ‘Inning 1 UNDER 0.5 runs’ market has hit in each of the Royals’ last five night games at Rogers Centre.
• The Royals have led after 5 innings in five of their last six games as underdogs against American League opponents.

Toronto Blue Jays vs Kansas City Royals Prediction

I’ll probably stay with the Blue Jays here. We should have a pretty interesting pitching matchup on our hands regardless, though. Rodriguez has a total of five earned runs on 13 hits and five walks in 11.2 innings this year. He’s yet to find the win column but should have a pretty good chance in Monday’s game.

In their Sunday matchup, Toronto got a nice offensive effort from Alejandro Kirk (three hits; solo homer) and Vladimir Guerrero (2-for-4) but no one else had more than one hit. Toronto hasn’t scored more than three runs for six straight games so it would be nice to see a higher total on Monday. That said, I think the Blue Jays should have a good shot at a W.