The Kansas City Royals (17-12) and Toronto Blue Jays (14-15) open a 3-game series at Rogers Centre Monday. First pitch is scheduled for 7:07 p.m. ET. Let’s analyze BetMGM Sportsbook’s lines around the Royals vs. Blue Jays odds and make our expert MLB picks and predictions for the best bets.
Season series: Royals lead 3-1
Kansas City has lost back-to-back Games after falling 4-1 to the Detroit Tigers Sunday and failing to cash as a +154 road underdog. SS Bobby Witt Jr. drove in the Royals’ only run with an RBI single in the 1st inning. RHP Michael Wacha allowed 4 earned runs on 9 hits in 5 2/3 innings and picked up the loss.
The Blue Jays snapped a 5-game losing streak with a 3-1 win over the Los Angeles Dodgers Sunday, avoiding the sweep and cashing as -106 home favorites. C Alejandro Kirk hit a solo shot in the 2nd to cap off a 3-run inning for the Jays. RHP Kevin Gausman allowed just 1 earned run in 7 innings to pick up the win.
Royals at Blue Jays projected starters
RHP Jonathan Bowlan vs. RHP Yariel Rodriguez
Bowlan (0-1, 3.00 ERA in 2023) makes his 1st start. The rookie has a 1.67 WHIP, 0.0 BB/9 and 9.0 K/9 in 3 innings across 1 start and 1 relief appearance in his career.
- 2024 stats with Triple-A Omaha: 3-1, 2.57 ERA (21 IP, 6 ER), 1.10 WHIP in 4 starts
- 2024 spring training stats: 2-0, 5.40 ERA (3 1/3 IP, 2 ER), 2.10 WHIP in 2 relief appearances
Rodriguez (0-1, 3.86 ERA) makes his 4th start. The rookie has a 1.54 WHIP, 3.9 BB/9 and 11.6 K/9 in 11 2/3 innings.
- Toronto is 2-1 in his starts
- Has not lasted more than 4 IP in a start this year
- Has allowed 5 ER this season while striking out 15 batters and walking 5
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Royals at Blue Jays odds
Provided by BetMGM Sportsbook; access USA TODAY Sports Scores and Sports Betting Odds hub for a full list. Lines last updated at 10:17 a.m. ET.
- Moneyline (ML): Royals +120 (bet $100 to win $120) | Blue Jays -145 (bet $145 to win $100)
- Run line (RL)/Against the spread (ATS): Royals +1.5 (-165) | Blue Jays -1.5 (+140)
- Over/Under (O/U): 8.5 (O: -120 | U: +100)
Royals at Blue Jays picks and predictions
Prediction
Royals 4, Blue Jays 3
Moneyline
BET ROYALS (+120).
Kansas City has won 4 of its last 6 games and scored 3 or more runs in 7 of its last 10. While Bowlan, who is unproven in the majors, is taking the mound, the Royals offense has scored 5 or more runs in 2 of its last 3.
Toronto has lost 5 of its last 6 games, including each of its last 3 against Kansas City, and scored 2 or fewer runs in 5 of its last 6 while allowing 4 or more in 2 of its last 3.
Run line/Against the spread
PASS.
The moneyline presents better value for the Royals.
Over/Under
BET UNDER 8.5 (+100).
The Under is 6-3-1 in the Royals’ last 10 games. They’ve scored 3 or fewer runs in 6 of their last 8 games while allowing 2 or fewer in 4 of their last 6.
Toronto has hit the Under in 8 of its last 10. It has scored 2 or fewer runs in 5 of its last 6 games and 3 or fewer in 7 of its last 8.
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