Many wrote off the Toronto Blue Jays after two games of the ALDS against Texas. Now, those same who considered them dead a week ago are probably doing the same with them down 2-0 again versus the Kansas City Royals.
ODDS ANALYSIS
The Blue Jays absolutely have to have this game, and the oddsmakers have lined it accordingly. Even though the argument could be made that Kansas City has the better pitcher on the mound, the Jays opened up at -180 to cut this series lead in half.
The total is sitting at a flat 8, a relatively high number by postseason standards.
PITCHING MATCHUP
Johnny Cueto had the game of his life in Game 5 of the ALDS, setting down the last 19 Astros he faced en route to the series-winning victory.
Cueto only went 4-7 for the Royals after getting traded from Cincinnati, a far cry from the man who went 7-6 with a 2.62 ERA and posted four straight seasons with better than a 3.00 ERA.
Marcus Stroman was a Game 5 pitcher as well, and though he didn't get the win in the game, he left his team in a situation to put together its most dramatic inning in two decades.
It's tough to believe that Stroman has only pitched in six games since returning from ACL surgery. He hasn't allowed more than three earned runs in any of those outings, and he has pitched at least six frames in all but his first of those games.
QUOTE TO NOTE
"We're built to put the ball in play. We have guys with a lot of power; it's just that nobody's trying to do it. Our offense doesn't allow us to play that way." – Royals utility man Ben Zobrist on the differences between KC and Toronto through two games of the ALCS
SITUATIONAL BETTING
The day off is just what the doctor ordered for the dominant KC relievers. Add up Wade Davis, Luke Hochevar and Kelvin Herrera and you've got eight hits and one run surrendered over 14.1 innings of work. These three are the ones closing out games when the Royals get the lead, and they aren't blowing games they're handed.
PROP TALK
Doesn't this just feel like a game where Kevin Pillar comes up big for the Jays? He has three multi-hit games in his last five contests, and when his team needed him, he did the job against Texas late on in that series. Pillar had two hits in Game 2, and we suspect he'll at least get on base a time or two again in this one.
ANALYSIS AND PREDICTION
There's a point that the Blue Jays are just flat out overrated, and we think we've hit that point.
Giving us Cueto and +150 odds is just too ridiculous no matter what the pitching matchup is or where the game is being played.
We're not convinced these Blue Jays are done, and we do think they're going to win this game more often than not. However, after watching home field advantage reign supreme in Games 1 and 2 of the NLCS and the ALCS, we think a road team is due for a big win.
Kansas City 4, Toronto 3
The baseball betting odds for this Monday game were first available at BookMaker Sportsbook. The Blue Jays opened up at -180 along with a total of 8. BookMaker is going to have multiple betting options available for this televised baseball matchup. Live wagering during commercials offers an adjusted moneyline, individual inning run totals and next hitter results. Log in and start gambling during the game now!
BookMaker offers play-by-play betting odds for live sporting events every day! The user-friendly wagering interface on your smartphone provides an easy way to place bets on the go. Mobile betting lines are updated by the minute so click here to start gambling on thrilling live action at BookMaker Sportsbook! Game 3 of the ALCS between the Kansas City Royals and Toronto Blue Jays will start at 8:00 p.m. ET on Monday, October 19, 2015 at Rogers Centre. You can watch the contest live on FOX Sports 1.
