The Royals opened as very short favourites on the MLB odds behind pitcher Brady Singer.

Betting Analysis

Personally, I thought the Royals were tremendous value this spring when priced +1000 to win the AL Central as they were expected to take a big leap forward this season and they have, sitting second in the division behind surprising Cleveland. Kansas City is now +425 to win it.

My one concern with manager Matt Quatraro’s club is the offence as the Royals might need to add a bat to be considered legitimate pennant contenders. They did make a very smart move this offseason by locking up mega-talented shortstop Bobby Witt Jr. to a 14-year deal worth a potential $377.7 million. There are four player opt-outs starting after the 2030 season. It was not only the largest contract in team history, but the first Royals contract spanning 10-plus seasons.

The 23-year-old Witt hit 30 homers (with an MLB-best 11 triples) and stole 49 bases last season, is off to another fine start this year and will be a perennial AL All-Star. He was the No. 2 overall pick in the 2019 MLB Draft. Baltimore took catcher Adley Rutschman at No. 1 overall and you can’t argue that choice, either. The Jays picked 11th in the first round that year and selected pitcher Alek Manoah.

Toronto was 6-1 vs. the Royals last season and 3-1 at Kauffman Stadium. The Jays haven’t lost a series there since 2021. Kansas City will visit Toronto for three games starting April 29.

Toronto Blue Jays

Over the weekend, the Blue Jays placed right-handed reliever Chad Green on the 15-day injured list with a right teres major strain. Nate Pearson was called up from Triple-A Buffalo in a corresponding move. There is some talk the Jays could soon call up 22-year-old shortstop prospect Orelvis Martinez as he has been raking at Triple-A Buffalo. Martinez will not play short in the Show with Bo Bichette there but could play second over Cavan Biggio.

Lefty Yusei Kikuchi (1-1, 2.08 ERA) is on the mound Monday. He struggled a bit in his season debut on March 30 at Tampa Bay but in April is 1-0 with a 1.04 ERA in three starts. He whiffed a season-high nine last time out in beating the Yankees. Kikuchi pitched well in Kansas City early last season, allowing one run over five in a victory. However, his career ERA in seven starts vs. the Royals is 6.37 over 29.2 innings. Bobby Witt Jr. is 0-for-4 off him with two strikeouts.

Kansas City Royals

It’s actually possible the Royals could leave Kansas City eventually as voters in Jackson County, Missouri, recently rejected a tax increase to help pay for new Royals ballpark and entertainment district. The team has pledged at least $1 billion, but the entire project is expected to cost $2 billion. Royals owner John Sherman already has said the Royals would not play at Kauffman Stadium beyond the 2030 season. Renovations for Arrowhead Stadium, home to the two-time defending Super Bowl champion Chiefs, also were going to be part of that tax plan so they might have to move as well.

Right-hander Brady Singer is on the hill for this one. The 27-year-old always has had the talent to be a No. 1 starter and finally has put it all together at 2-0 with a 1.54 ERA and 0.86 WHIP. At home in three starts, he’s 2-0 with a 0.98 ERA. In three career starts vs. Toronto, he is 2-0 with a 2.25 ERA and won his 2023 season debut vs. the Jays last April 3, allowing one run in 5.0 innings.

MLB Prediction: Who Will Win Blue Jays vs. Royals?