16th Oct - Royals vs Blue Jays

The American League Championship series is set up to be a firecracker match-up. The Toronto Blue Jays travel to face the Kansas City Royals in a clash between two of the MLB’s most powerful and deepest offensive units. We’re expecting big things and that’s even before the well-publicised clashed in August, which was partly ignited by tonight’s pitcher for Kansas City in Edinson Volquez.

On Friday night, Volquez goes head-to-head against Marco Estrada. Volquez had an up and down season, like many members of the Royals’ pitching staff. He made it through five innings and two third in a 4-2 loss to the Houston Astros in the previous series. He finished 13-9 with a 3.55 ERA during the regular season.

The Blue Jays survived three consecutive elimination games to make it past the Texas Rangers in their series. Their offense came alive after two disappointing outings in Toronto. It’s a tough order to battle through and they’ll fancy their chances against a pitching staff that’s probably missing a true ace.

Three Reasons for Betting Tips

1. Toronto’s offense firing

Josh Donaldson, Jose Bautista, Edwin Encarnacion, Russell Martin, Troy Tulowitzki and Ben Revere, not to mention the other three bats in the order, form a pretty devastating group and Volquez isn’t a shut down pitcher.

2. Royals’ experience

They’ve got that depth in their order and overall experience, which means they won’t allow themselves to get too badly out-hit in this match-up.

3. No aces

This isn’t a prized pitching match-up. It’s a clash between two decent pitchers trying to control a pair of the AL’s best batting line-ups.