This is an interesting time of the MLB season for more reasons than just the intensity of the playoff races in both the American and National Leagues. We are at the stage of the year where it is very apparent which teams are still in the hunt and which ones are already looking to next season and beyond. That picture will get a little clearer over the next couple of days, with the trade deadline hitting at 4 PM EST on Wednesday, July 31. We are going to see a flurry of moves in the next 48 hours, with some teams already starting the business of wheeling and dealing.
The teams who are in as sellers will be moving out high-priced talent in favor of prospects, which means that a lot of young players are going to be seeing some action between now and the end of the season. The Toronto Blue Jays and the Kansas City Royals will likely be in that group, so this could be a fun few days for these teams, even though their series is ultimately meaningless. The Royals are favored by 1 ½, with the run total set at 10.
Blue Jays vs Royals MLB Week 18 Odds & Analysis
- When: Monday, July 29 at 8:15 PM EST
- Where: Kauffman Stadium, Kansas City
- Starting Pitchers: Pannone vs. Keller
- TV: MLB Extra Innings
- Radio: 610 Sports
- Live Stream: MLB.tv
- MLB Week 18 Odds: Kansas City Royals -130 (Total 9.5)
Diamondbacks vs Marlins MLB Lines & Game Preview
Why bet on the Toronto Blue Jays?
The Blue Jays have already made their intent to sell clear by shipping out Marcus Stroman to the New York Mets. The rebuild for this team is going to take quite some time to reap rewards, especially playing in a division with the Yankees and the Blue Jays, not to mention a Tampa Bay Rays team that appears to be on the rise. With just 40 wins on the season, Toronto is well out of the playoff conversation at this point.
With their loss to the Rays on Sunday, the Blue Jays have now dropped 2 straight series, both of which came at home. On the road, they are just 20-33 SU, as well as being 23-23 ATS as a road dog. The good news for the Blue Jays is that they lead the season series versus the Royals 3-1. They will have Thomas Pannone (2-4, 6.39 ERA) on the mound.
Team Stats
Offense- Runs: 4.31
- Hits: 7.85
- Walks: 3.06
- Strike Outs: 9.08
Defense
- Runs: 5.13
- Hits: 9.18
- Walks: 3.68
- Strike Outs: 8.17
Why bet on the Kansas City Royals?
The Royals come into this series sporting the exact same 40-67 season record as the Toronto Blue Jays, which suggests that this series might be rather evenly matched. The Royals are coming off a win that has taken them to 5-5 in their last 10 games, and also of the basement in the AL Central.
While the Royals have been better at home than they have been on the roads, their record in their own ballpark is still not entirely impressive, with KC going 23-32 at home. The Royals have been a good bet against the spread of late, covering in 6 of their last 8 games. That said, they are just 27-27 ATS overall at home. They will have Brad Keller (7-9, 3.95 ERA) on the mound for this one.
Team Stats
Offense- Runs: 4.30
- Hits: 8.43
- Walks: 2.86
- Strike Outs: 8.58
- Runs: 5.12
- Hits: 9.32
- Walks: 3.57
- Strike Outs: 7.70
Top MLB Betting Picks of the Week – July 29th Edition
Blue Jays vs Royals MLB Week 18 Betting Trends
- Blue Jays are 4-9 SU in their last 13 games on the road
- The total has gone OVER in 6 of Toronto’s last 9 games against an opponent in the American League Central division
- Royals are 1-4 SU in their last 5 games against an opponent in the American League
- The total has gone OVER in 5 of Kansas City’s last 7 games at home
- Royals are 24-46 against the money line against right-handed starters this season
- Royals are 33-24 against the money line when playing against a team with a losing record in the second half of the season over the last 2 seasons
- Keller is 2-0 when starting against TORONTO with an ERA of 5.25 and a WHIP of 1.333
Expert Pick & Final Score Prediction for Blue Jays vs Royals
The Blue Jays have had the best of the Royals in the 4 previous games this season, but they are just 4-9 in their last 13 road games. 6 of the last 9 games that Toronto has played against Central Division opponents has gone UNDER.
Score: Toronto Blue Jays 4 – Kansas City Royals 5
