Royals vs. Blue Jays (7/15): Will undermanned K.C. upset the odds for a second straight night in Toronto?

Despite being without a number of notable names for their series in Toronto, the Kansas City Royals took last night’s opener against the Blue Jays to keep their recent hot streak going.

Tonight, they will look for their sixth win in seven games with Zack Greinke on the mound opposite Alek Manoah.

The Royals had to put ten players on the restricted list prior to their trip to Toronto, which included most of their top hitters–including All-Star outfielder Andrew Benintendi and former All-Star White Merrifield–two starting pitchers (Brad Keller and Brady Singer) and reliever Dylan Coleman, who leads the team in appearances this season.

But behind excellent pitching and a couple of big blows at the plate, including a homer for Nate Eaton on his MLB debut, the Royals claimed a 3-1 win in last night’s opener.

Nate Eaton has a 416 ft. first MLB hit!#TogetherRoyal pic.twitter.com/ChgiT5682f

— Kansas City Royals (@Royals) July 15, 2022

The Blue Jays, meanwhile, will be hoping to get back into the win column after winning their first game under interim manager John Schneider on Wednesday.

Kansas City Royals vs. Toronto Blue Jays Matchup Information and Betting Odds

Matchup Information

• Matchup: Kansas City Royals vs. Toronto Blue Jays
• Venue & Location: Rogers Centre (Toronto, Canada)
• Date: Friday, July 15, 2022
• Game Time: 7:07 p.m. Eastern Time

Royals vs. Blue Jays Pitching Matchup

• Kansas City Royals: Zack Greinke (2022: 14 starts, 3-5, 4.52 ERA)
• Toronto Blue Jays: Alek Manoah (2022: 17 starts, 9-4, 2.34 ERA)

Royals vs. Blue Jays Odds

Game odds are via BetOnline. This article may also feature odds from other top sportsbooks that we have reviewed and recommend.

Moneyline

• Kansas City Royals +280
• Toronto Blue Jays -350

Over/Under

• OVER 8 (-118)
• UNDER 8 (-104)

Run Line

• Kansas City Royals +1.5 (+134)
• Toronto Blue Jays -1.5 (-162)

Will a 10th Win Continue to Elude Manoah?

Tonight, Manoah will take his fourth crack at getting his tenth win of the season. His ninth win came on June 24 against the Brewers in Milwaukee, a 9-4 win for the Blue Jays.

In the three starts since, Toronto has scored seven runs, five coming in a 10-inning loss to the Boston Red Sox on June 29.

Run support will likely tell the tale again tonight.

In seven of Manoah’s starts this season, the Blue Jays have scored 4+ runs, tallying a 6-1 record in those games.

In the 10 starts in which they scored fewer than four runs, the Blue Jays have posted a 4-6 mark. That includes a 3-1 record in games in which they scored three runs.

In their current 5-1 run, the Royals have allowed three or fewer runs in all five wins. That is in line with what they have done throughout the season.

When they have allowed three or fewer runs this season, the Royals are 28-6. When they have allowed four or more runs, they are 8-47. So, if the Blue Jays can manage four or more runs tonight, they will likely win.

That should be a pretty achievable target, especially when you consider that Greinke has a 7.46 ERA on the road and has allowed 25 runs (23 earned) and 29 hits in his last four road starts (17.1 IP).

That is quite the contrast to his numbers at Kansas City’s Kauffman Stadium. The six-time All-Star has pitched like one at home, as he has won his last three home starts and is 3-1 with a 1.86 ERA in seven starts there this season.

But Toronto has scored 4+ runs only five times in 14 games this month, so Greinke should feel confident about finally being able to emulate his home form on the road.

Kansas City Royals vs. Toronto Blue Jays Prediction and Best Bets

Royals vs. Blue Jays Prediction: Royals to win

Royals vs. Blue Jays Best Bets: Royals +1.5 (+140 at Bovada Sportsbook & MyBookie) & Blue Jays team total under 5.5 runs (-125 at BetMGM)

So, let’s get this out of the way.

If you were to make a list of baseball betting dos and don’ts, one of the top don’ts would be DON’T BET ON -350 FAVORITES. And yes, the caps are necessary there.

But you especially shouldn’t bet on a -350 favorite who is 4-10 in July and is not lighting the world on fire at the plate. Don’t even touch the run line either.

You don’t have to take our recommendation and bet on the Royals to win, the +1.5 run line, or the under on the Blue Jays’ team total either, even though there is great value with all of those bets.

But at the very least, don’t go betting on Toronto tonight. Don’t.

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