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Toronto hosts Kansas City Sunday on Peacock. Toronto sits just inside the number as they currently are a playoff team. Expectations were that they would compete for the division title and a bye in the playoffs though. As a result of their struggles, manager Charlie Montoyo was relieved of his duties earlier this week. Bench coach John Schneider was promoted.
How does the team respond to this move? And will a change in manager be the only change over the next few weeks? Does Jays’ management still believe in their lineup and pitching staff?
Toronto’s opponent Sunday is Kansas City. The Royals sit in last in the AL Central but have been better of late. Bobby Witt Jr. and MJ Melendez are beginning to find their footing at the major league level. In the process, veteran Salvador Perez is grooming them to take over leadership of this team.
Sunday is the final day before the All-Star Break. Neither team has published their expected starters for the matinee.
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To help you out, here are some statistics and suggested picks to two of the questions from this week’s game.
Question #3: How many hits will Kansas City manage against the Toronto Blue Jays?
Potential Answers: 0-3, 4-5, 6, 7, 8, 9-10, 11+
The issue for the Royals on offense this season has not been making contact with the baseball. Kansas City actually has more hits than the Yankees. Yes, more hits than the Yankees. However, making contact at the right time has been an issue. Those same Yankees who have fewer its than Kansas City have scored over 100 more runs than their counterparts in the Midwest. The old adage “timing is everything” is certainly applicable here.
Royals’ bats rank in the middle to bottom third of baseball. Andrew Benintendi is more than likely to be shipped out at the trade deadline, but he and Bobby Witt are their top hitters. As a team, the Royals average a little over eight hits per game. Jays’ pitching has allowed nearly 8.4 hits per game enroute to a team ERA just north of four runs per game.
Suggested Answer: The Royals have played better baseball of late as they eye a path out of the cellar in the AL Central. Toronto is getting the usual jumpstart a change in manager often brings, but that does not mean they will suddenly be shutting down their opponents. They may have an issue scoring but expect the Royals to collect 9-10 hits on Sunday.
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Question #4: Toronto hits vs. the Kansas City Royals on Sunday?
Potential Answers: 0-5, 6-7, 8, 9, 10, 11-12, 13+
Toronto has the third most hits in baseball as we approach the All-Star Break. The Jays average nearly nine hits per game led by Bo Bichette and Vladimir Guerrero. Their situation is not as dire as that of the Royals but the Jays also just do not convert their hits into runs. They rank 3rd in baseball in hits but just 10th in runs scored. That needs to improve if the Jays are to contend before the end of the season.
No surprise that the last place Royals struggle to keep runners off the bases this season. Kansas City ranks dead last in the American League and 3rd from the bottom in all of baseball in terms of hits allowed. KC hurlers’ yield over nine hits per game to their opponents.
Suggested Answer: The Royals are showing early signs of getting the franchise back on track but few of those signs have come from the pitching staff.
A change in manager often jumpstarts a team and sends them on an extended streak of success. That will not happen for Toronto without the offense continuing to put the bat on the ball. Expect Toronto’s offense to roll on Sunday vs. Kansas City and tally 11-12 hits.
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