In a rematch that’s three decades in the making, the Toronto Blue Jays and the Kansas City Royals square off in the American League Championship Series for the first time since 1985.
A lot has happened since then – more bad than the good – but both resurgent clubs are entering the series in the highest of spirits after coming off of their respective Game 5 ALDS bouts on Wednesday. However, as with all sporting competitions, only one team will prevail with the rights to represent the American League in the 2015 World Series.
With that being said, let’s take a look at how this utterly compelling ALCS will pan out. Likewise, check out our predictions for the NLCS between the New York Mets and the Chicago Cubs after this to get you geared up for all the exciting MLB playoffs betting action headed our way.
[sc:MLBArticles ]Toronto Blue Jays vs. Kansas City Royals ALCS Predictions
Game 1: Toronto Blue Jays at Kansas City Royals
Where: Kauffman Stadium, Kansas City
When: Friday, October 16, 7:30 PM ET
Line: Toronto Blue Jays (+140) at Kansas City Royals (-160); total: 8.5 – view all MLB lines
TV Broadcast: FOX
Pitching Matchup: Marco Estrada (13-8, 3.13 ERA) vs. Edinson Volquez (13-9, 3.55 ERA)
Will we another brawl ensue between the Jays and the Royals? After that heated incident in August, it’s clear that these two teams do not like each other.
[sc:MLB240banner ]But we’re deep in the postseason now, and both managers John Gibbons and Ned Yost have to keep their respective rosters level-headed for the long series ahead.
As such, Kansas City starting pitcher Edinson Volquez redeems himself from that bench-clearing debacle with a solid outing in Game 1 as Toronto’s Marco Estrada suffers from the jitters in his first-career ALCS game. The Royals hitters also show their small-ball expertise early and often by getting on base and running around them. Kansas City was third in the majors this season with their 75 percent stolen base success rate.
Writer’s Prediction: Kansas City’s experience has the team taking Game 1. Volquez also avoids hitting a batter with a wild pitch this time around.
Game 2: Toronto Blue Jays at Kansas City Royals
Where: Kauffman Stadium, Kansas City
When: Saturday, October 17, 3:30 PM ET
Line: Toronto Blue Jays at Kansas City Royals – view all MLB lines
TV Broadcast: FS1
Pitching Matchup: David Price (18-5, 2.45 ERA) vs. Yordano Ventura (13-8, 4.08 ERA)
With the Royals hitting and stealing bases well in the opener, Toronto’s Russell Martin steps up his production offensively and defensively in Game 2. More so on the latter, as he is capable of containing Kansas City’s speedy runners on base. Martin was one of just two catchers in the majors this season that had the best caught-stealing rate of 44.4 percent.
And with David Price (finally) pitching well in the playoffs, the team puts in enough runs to steal home field advantage from the Royals entering the upcoming three-game stretch in Canada.
Writer’s Prediction: The Blue Jays benefit from the starting pitching matchup as Price helps his team even the series at one apiece.
Game 3: Kansas City Royals at Toronto Blue Jays
Where: Rogers Centre, Toronto
When: Monday, October 19, 7:00 PM ET
Line: Kansas City Royals at Toronto Blue Jays – view all MLB lines
TV Broadcast: FS1
Pitching Matchup: Johnny Cueto (4-7, 4.76 ERA) vs. Marcus Stroman (4-0, 1.67 ERA)
Just when the Blue Jays think thought that they can start whacking away those homers that propelled them to the top of the AL East, Kansas City’s starter Johnny Cueto keeps them in check in Game 3. Cueto recently regained his top form from his days with Cincinnati after pitching eight superb innings in the 7-2 ALDS clincher over the Astros.
However, Toronto’s own Marcus Stroman is in quite a hot streak himself since coming back from an injury that kept him out of play until September of this season. Stroman stays toe-to-toe with Cueto in this match, with the 24-year-old pitching the defining game of his young career.
Writer’s Prediction: The Jays eke one out in a surprisingly low-scoring affair to take the series lead, 2-1.
Game 4: Kansas City Royals at Toronto Blue Jays
Where: Rogers Centre, Toronto
When: Tuesday, October 20
Line: Kansas City Royals at Toronto Blue Jays – view all MLB lines
TV Broadcast: FS1
Pitching Matchup: Kris Medlen (6-2, 4.01 ERA) vs. R.A. Dickey (11-11, 3.91 ERA)
A lot can still change between now and Game 4 of the ALCS, but it seems as if Kansas City will likely have former Atlanta Braves standout Kris Medlen starting in this pivotal game. However, Medlen has not seen his mechanics improve since his second-career Tommy John surgery, and will struggle against Toronto’s sluggers early on.
On the other hand, knuckle-baller R.A. Dickey confounds the Royals’ players in a solid outing. Kansas City’s batters are only hitting .226 against the former Cy Young Award winner, with outfielder Alex Rios as the only player to hit more than one home run (two) and three RBIs (five) lifetime against Dickey.
Writer’s Prediction: Toronto takes Game 4 for a commanding two-game series lead.
Game 5: Kansas City Royals at Toronto Blue Jays
Where: Rogers Centre, Toronto
When: Wednesday, October 21
Line: Kansas City Royals at Toronto Blue Jays – view all MLB lines
TV Broadcast: FS1
Pitching Matchup: Edinson Volquez (13-9, 3.55 ERA) vs. Marco Estrada (13-8, 3.13 ERA)
With another series clincher on the line, Toronto’s three-headed slugging hydra in Josh Donaldson, Jose Bautista and Edwin Encarnacion each put up solid hits (and maybe a homer… or five) to close out the series. The three combined for 120 of the team’s home runs in the regular season, with each of them hitting over 110 RBIs for the year as well.
Kansas City also cannot find an answer for Toronto’s breakout player in first baseman Chris Colabello in this bout. Colabello has five two-hit games over the past seven contests with two home runs and three RBIs in that span, and keeps his team’s Game 5 lead well beyond the Royals’ reach.
Writer’s Prediction: The Jays live up to their -150 odds of winning the ALCS over the Royals and advance to the World Series for the first time since they won it all back in 1993.
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