The Toronto Blue Jays have been in a big time hole before, and they've put themselves into a pretty deep one in the ALCS as well against the Kansas City Royals. Too much deeper of a hole, and they'll be buried once and for all. Game 3 isn't the definitive death knell, but it would sure feel that way if the hosts were beaten for a third straight game.
PITCHING MATCHUP
Johnny Cueto was brought to Kansas City for the big time moment. He didn't exactly deliver in the regular season, but when all the chips were on the table, he set down 19 straight Astros in Game 5 of the ALDS to propel his team to this point. Now, he can pitch his team to the brink of the World Series for the second straight year.
However, we have some issues with Cueto yet. He's now pitched twice in the postseason, allowing a home run in each game, and the fact that he has conceded six runs over 14 innings is nothing to be proud of.
Where Cueto got away with his problems against Houston in Game 5 was in the fact that he didn't allow free runners to get on base like he did in Game 1. If control becomes an issue, live bettors should be ready to pounce on the Jays, who make teams pay for mistakes more than any other team in baseball.
Marcus Stroman wasn't the Game 5 winner against Texas, but he sure did hit part, allowing just two runs over six frames. The door was left open for the Jose Bautista homer heard throughout Canada. All Stroman is going to be tasked with in this game is getting the ball to the bullpen in a reasonable spot. He's done that twice here in these playoffs, and though his team is only 1-1 in those games, he has left with a pair of no-decisions.
ADVANCED STATS
There was some concern about Edwin Encarnacion and a hurt finger coming into Game 2 of the ALCS, but after rapping two hits in four at bats, we suspect he's just fine.
Encarnacion though, is only part of the problem with facing this Toronto lineup. Chris Colabello and Kevin Pillar are both tearing the cover off of the ball as well, and it's almost not fair to try to find an out in this lineup as a result.
TALKING BULLPENS
We've now seen the same problems play out for consecutive games for the Blue Jays. John Gibbons just doesn't have enough confidence in his relief pitchers, and it's showing. He had to leave David Price in for too long in Game 2, and as a result, he allowed all five runs in the seventh and was hung with yet another loss.
Meanwhile, as soon as Kansas City got that lead in the seventh, it was all over. It's the second straight game that the middle relief did its job for the Royals, and live bettors have to appreciate that.
This is almost like a case of a good wide receiver against a defensive back on a fly round. If he's even, he's leaving. In the case of live betting in the ALCS, if the Royals are even going into the late innings, almost certainly, they're going to end up getting the better of this one.
The MLB lines for this Monday contest were first released by BookMaker Sportsbook. The Toronto Blue Jays were lined at -180 favorites along with a total of 8. Gamble on the game between every half inning with BookMaker's live betting feature. Along with an adjusted in-game moneyline, you can wager on what will happen in the next at-bat or how many runs will be scored in the next inning. Live betting is the most exciting way to play!
Need to fund your account before the big game but don't have your computer? No problem! BookMaker Sportsbook now offers a mobile betting cashier so you can deposit money directly from your smartphone. Don't miss out on getting paid because you couldn't bet. Click here, and deposit at BookMaker now! Game 3 of the ALCS pitting the Toronto Blue Jays versus the Kansas City Royals will commence Monday, October 19, 2015 at 8:00 p.m. ET at Rogers Centre. You can watch the contest live on FOX Sports 1.
