Toronto Blue Jays vs. Kansas City Royals Prediction, Preview, Picks & Odds - 6/7/2022

Time: 8:10 p.m. ET

Venue: Kauffman Stadium, Kansas City, MO

Where to watch: SNET-1, Bally Sports Kansas City

DraftKings: NL

BetMGM: Blue Jays -175, Royals +145

Caesars: Blue Jays -164, Royals +145

Blue Jays: 31-22

Royals: 17-35

Well, this went about as expected as could be. It's going to be a long series for the Kansas City Royals if the Toronto Blue Jays keep blasting homers during this series, much like the series opener on Monday in Kansas City. 

The 8-0 victory for Toronto, which I expect the Blue Jays to continue that path Tuesday in Game 2, relied on the long ball. Bo Bichette got the party started with a two-run blast in the fourth, then a solo shot from Vladimir Guerrero Jr. in the sixth, then capped by a two-run shot in the top of the sixth from Santiago Espinal.

While the bats were cooking, Ross Stripling had just one hit allowed in five innings and reached more than four innings for only the second time this season.

"You have no idea how happy I am that Strip (Stripling) went five innings," Blue Jays manager Charlie Montoyo said. "That way we could save our (bullpen) arms. We also swung the bats, but he threw (less than) 60 balls and get through five. He was lights out."

Of course, the pitcher was pleased.

"Going into it I thought I was going to have four innings," he said. "I knew I would be in the 50- to 60-pitch range. I hadn't gone more than 35 in the last couple of weeks. I was able to go five innings. That was the priority: stay efficient and try not to put too much on the bullpen."

And now the Blue Jays will go to top pitcher Alek Manoah for this second game of the series, which sounds like hell for the Royals. Manoah is 6-1 this season with a 1.98 ERA and has walked only 10 batters the entire season.

Talk about unhittable. What timing for this to all happen.

Meanwhile, Brad Keller is 1-6 with a 4.15 ERA. That's finger-licking quality for the Toronto bats and you should be ready for such a thing. If homers aren't coming, plenty of RBIs will be on the way. Blue Jays win 7-1

Blue Jays are 25-13 as a favorite this season.

Blue Jays are 12-3 as a favorite between -125 and -175 this season.

Royals are 0-7 on Monday games this season.

Royals are 5-13 as an underdog this season.

Blue Jays:
George Springer (R) CF
Bo Bichette (R) SS
Vladimir Guerrero (R) 1B
Teoscar Hernandez (R) RF
Alejandro Kirk (R) DH
Matt Chapman (R) 3B
Santiago Espinal (R) 2B
Lourdes Gurriel Jr. (R) LF
Danny Jansen (R) C
SP - Alek Manoah

Royals:
Whit Merrifield (R) 2B
Andrew Benintendi (L) LF
Bobby Witt Jr. (R) SS
Salvador Perez (R) DH
MJ Melendez (L) C
Hunter Dozier (R) RF
Carlos Santana (S) 1B
Emmanuel Rivera (R) 3B
Michael A. Taylor (R) CF
SP - Brad Keller

Batting average: George Springer -- .283

Home runs: Vladimir Guerrero Jr. -- 13

RBI: George Springer -- 30

Wins: Alek Manoah -- 6

ERA: Alek Manoah -- 1.98

Batting average: Andrew Benintendi -- .321

Home runs: Salvador Perez -- 8

RBI: Bobby Witt Jr. -- 28

Wins: Collin Snider -- 4

ERA: Brad Keller -- 4.15