The Toronto Blue Jays (1-2) and Kansas City Royals (0-3) open a 4-game set Monday at Kauffman Stadium. First pitch is scheduled for 7:40 p.m. ET. Let’s analyze BetMGM Sportsbook’s lines around the Blue Jays vs. Royals odds and make our expert MLB picks and predictions for the best bets.
Season series: First meeting of 2023 (Blue Jays won last season’s series 5-2)
The Blue Jays lost as +105 underdogs 9-4 at the St. Louis Cardinals Sunday and lost the series 2-1. Toronto was momentarily down just 1 run in the top of the 2nd after C Danny Jansen and 3B Matt Chapman drove in runs to make it 4-3.
The Royals lost as +125 home underdogs 7-4 vs. the Minnesota Twins Sunday and were swept in the series 3-0. Kansas City had previously scored 0 runs on the season before plating 4 Sunday.
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Blue Jays at Royals projected starters
RHP José Berríos vs. RHP Brady Singer
Berríos (12-7, 5.23 ERA in 2022) makes his 1st start. He had a 1.42 WHIP, 2.4 BB/9 and 7.8 K/9 through 172 IP in 2022.
- Last start: Win at the Baltimore Orioles Oct. 3, 2022 (ER, 3 H, 3 BB, 5 K in 6 IP)
- Career vs. the Royals: 6-4 with a 4.45 ERA (111 1/3 IP, 55 ER) in 19 starts
Singer (10-5, 3.23 ERA in 2022) makes his 1st start. He had a 1.14 WHIP, 2.1 BB/9 and 8.8 K/9 through 153 1/3 IP in 2022.
- Last start: Loss at the Cleveland Guardians Sep. 27, 2022 (6 ER, 7 H, BB, 6 K in 5 2/3 IP)
- Only career start vs. Toronto: Win June 8, 2022 (3 ER, 8 H, 0 BB, 5 K in 5 IP)
Blue Jays at Royals odds
Provided by BetMGM Sportsbook; access USA TODAY Sports Scores and Sports Betting Odds hub for a full list. Lines last updated at 1:10 p.m. ET.
- Moneyline (ML): Blue Jays -125 (bet $125 to win $100) | Royals +105 (bet $100 to win $105)
- Run line (RL)/Against the spread (ATS): Blue Jays -1.5 (+135) | Royals +1.5 (-160)
- Over/Under (O/U): 8 (O: -115 | U: -105)
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Blue Jays at Royals picks and predictions
Prediction
Royals 5, Blue Jays 4
Moneyline
BET ROYALS (+105).
Kansas City showed signs of life Sunday after scoring 0 runs in its 1st 2 games of the season. Toronto was dominated in its series at St. Louis and was somewhat lucky to win the opener 10-9 after scoring 5 runs in the final 3 innings. Singer looked good in his only career start vs. Toronto, while Berríos gave up 4 ER in 1/3 IP in his 1st start last season. Kansas City should get its 1st win Monday vs. a Blue Jays team that is off to a slow start.
Run line/Against the spread
PASS.
Kansas City +1.5 (-160) should hit, but there is no need to pay the higher price on the run line when the Royals should win straight up. Bet the moneyline and/or total instead.
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Over/Under
BET OVER 8 (-115).
Kansas City’s offense should continue trending upward after a horrible start in its 1st 2 games. While Toronto’s offense has been inconsistent to start the season, Berríos on the mound should help the Over hit as he struggled with command last season. If Berríos has another disappointing start to the season, and Kansas City’s offense picks up where it left off Sunday, these teams should have no problem going over the total.
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