The Toronto Blue Jays flexed their young muscles last night at Kauffman Stadium, shutting out the host Kansas City Royals, 8-0. Tonight there should be more of the same when they play the middle game of their 3-game set. Over their last 3 games, the Jays have produced 26 runs and should be able to get to the Royals expected starter, Brad Keller. Keller has struggled. He is 1-6 with a 4.15 ERA, a 1.24 WHIP, and over his last 3 starts it gets worse. He is 0-3 with a 7.41 ERA and a WHIP of 1.92. The Jays are expected to send the young flamethrower, Alek Manoah, to the hill. In just his second season in the majors, Manoah is quickly becoming one of the league’s elite. He is 6-1 with an ERA of just 1.98 and a 0.91 WHIP. Manoah has faced the Royals once in his career and was lethal as usual, pitching 7 scoreless and yielding only 2 hits, resulting in a 4-0 Toronto win. KC is 9-18 at home, have lost 2 straight, 7 of their last 8, and will have their hands full with the talented Toronto Blue Jays.
TONIGHT’S PICK: TORONTO BLUE JAYS