Royals vs. Blue Jays Prediction and Odds for Thursday, July 14 (KC Makes History, and Not in a Good Way)
By Ben Heisler
Congratulations to the Kansas City Royals for being the most unvaccinated team in Major League Baseball.
As a result, 10 players, including four of their best hitters will not play the next four games north of the border against the Toronto Blue Jays.
Royals players Whit Merrifield, Andrew Benintendi, Hunter Dozier, Cam Gallagher, MJ Melendez, Brady Singer, Brad Keller, Kyle Isbel, Michael A. Taylor and Dylan Coleman will be placed on the restricted list for the four-game series in Toronto, per manager Mike Matheny.
— Alec Lewis (@alec_lewis) July 13, 2022
We'll get into how that will impact both tonight's game and the series shortly, but for now, the Royals send out left-hander Angel Zerpa, who's pitched in one game for K.C. this year, going two innings without giving up a run.
Meanwhile, the Blue Jays roll out their 1-0 record under new manager John Schneider, who took over for the recently fired Charlie Montoyo, and send right-hander Kevin Gausman to the mound.
Here are the latest consensus odds for tonight's matchup north of the border.
Royals vs. Blue Jays Odds, Run Line and Total
Run Line:
- Royals +1.5 (+170)
- Blue Jays -1.5 (-190)
Moneyline:
- Royals +315
- Blue Jays -370
Total:
- 8.5 (OVER -120 | UNDER +100)
Royals vs. Blue Jays Prediction and Pick
The Royals don't have the worst record in the Majors, but they might come close by the end of this series without 10 games from their lineup and pitching rotation.
There have only been three teams in baseball this season as a +300 underdog or higher. The longest odds on that list was the Detroit Tigers at +310 vs. the New York Yankees, the team with the best record in the sport. The Blue Jays are in fourth place in the division with the Baltimore Orioles creeping up, and the Royals now own that title of the biggest underdogs of the season.
Per Bet IQ at @TeamRankings, there have been 3 teams this year as a +300 underdog or higher.
— Ben Heisler (@bennyheis) July 14, 2022
5/30 - Pirates (+300) @ Dodgers
5/31 - Pirates (+300) @ Dodgers
6/4 - Tigers (+310) @ Yankees
Depending on what sportsbook you bet at, the Royals are the biggest MLB underdog of 2022. https://t.co/Eo01TogbYm
Gausman leads the slate in WAR this season, and takes his 2.86 ERA and 1.68 FIP into his home park against a team down more than 1/3 of its roster. That should be a delight.
While it's likely that the Blue Jays will demolish the baseball, I don't know if I want to bet on them being the over by themselves. Perhaps they take pity on the short-handed Royals and this game ends up in the 6-1 or 7-0 range instead.
LEAN: UNDER 8.5 (+100)
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