This is it for the Toronto Blue Jays. After missing a chance leveling up their American League Championship Series against the Royals in Game 3 on Tuesday, the Blue Jays now have one last opportunity to save their season in a do-or-die matchup against Kansas City today.
With the Royals holding a 3-1 series following their emphatic 14-2 win over Toronto last night, can the Blue Jays bounce back with a win in today’s all-important Game 5 MLB odds matchup, or will the Royals finish the job once and for all with another victory at the Rogers Center? Let’s find out, as we go through the online betting preview detailed below.
Kansas City Royals at Toronto Blue Jays ALCS Game 5 Online Betting Preview
Series Standing: Royals lead series 3-1 Starting Pitchers: Edinson Volquez vs. Marco Estrada Venue: Rogers Centre, Toronto, Ontario Date: Wednesday, October 21, 2015 Time: 4:07 PM ET TV: FS1 MLB Lines: Royals (+135), Jays (-145), OVER/UNDER 9
The @Royals found their formula to own October: https://t.co/Y3cnQTcOKb pic.twitter.com/0HePcmxe8y
— USA TODAY Sports (@USATODAYsports) October 21, 2015
After lighting up the home stadium with a thrilling 11-8 win over Kansas City two days ago, no one would have predicted that the Blue Jays, who led the league in the regular season with the best offense, would all over sudden disappear to nothingness in a 24-hour turnaround.
But that is what happens when you play against a team like Kansas City, a team that is hell-bent on making a successive appearance in the World Series. The 12-run victory posted over the the Blue Jays yesterday not only represented the largest margin of win by a road team in AL’s postseason history, but it was also the fourth-largest win margin in MLB playoff history.
With a whopping 33 runs scored in their four games in the series so far, it would seem ludicrous to expect that offense to simmer down today. Not when KC’s shortstop Alcides Escobar is enjoying one of his best forms in the playoffs, averaging .417 hitting, along with a remarkable .611 slugging percentage in 36 postseason at-bats. Yesterday, he was a big reason for KC’s triumph, as he reached the base three times and contributed two sacrifice flies. But then again, after watching the Blue Jays struggle offensively in less than 24 hours after posting 11 run, a big offensive performance cannot be guaranteed here from the Royals.
In essence, this means that Edinson Volquez will need to have a strong start on the mound, along with his bullpen. Volquez already proved his worth in this series, pitching a solid start in Game 1 of this ALCS series by allowing just two hits in six shutout innings, which allowed the Royals to claim a flawless 5-0 win. Another good performance from him, along with another spirited show from the offense, should nearly guarantee a win for KC today.
The fact that Marco Estrada, Toronto’s starter for today’s game, was the man who was on the losing end of the 5-0 win by KC in Game 1 is definitely a big concern for Toronto’s supporters. In that game, the righty gave up three runs in 5.1 innings, necessitating the need for a mega turnaround, especially after the Blue Jays pitching staff struggled mightily in yesterday’s loss.
Estrada’s efforts to rebound with a big game will, of course, need to be aided by an improved show from the hitters. In the Game 1 started by Estrada, Toronto went scoreless, managing just two hits and four walks in his six innings. And on the series, the Jays are batting just .233, a far outcry from their stellar numbers in the regular season. It is only through an improved performance from this offense, which needs to start right from onset of the game, that Toronto will be able to save it season. The onus here will be on Josh Donaldson and Troy Tulowitzki, who are both 5-of-15 in this ALCS with each of the two players recording four RBIs and a homer, will need to shoulder the scoring weight today.
