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MLB : ATS Matchup
Saturday 8/1/2015Line$ LineOU LineScore
KANSAS CITY  VENTURA )
 
TORONTO  BUEHRLE )
+1.5  -180

-1.5  +160
+115

-125

8un
 
7
Final
6

KANSAS CITY (61 - 41) at TORONTO (53 - 51)
View Previous GameView Next Game
Saturday, 8/1/2015 1:05 PM
YORDANO VENTURA (R) vs. MARK BUEHRLE (L)
Board OpeningLatest
 LineTotalLineTotal
963KANSAS CITY+115Ov 8.5,-105+125Ov 8,-110
964TORONTO-125Un 8.5,-115-135Un 8,-110
ADVANCED TEAM STATS
KANSAS CITY - Current Season Performance
 Team RecordsTeamOpponent
 W-LUnitsO-URunsAvgOBPSLGOPSRunsAvgOBPSLGOPS
All Games61-41+18.943-484.30.2700.3120.4060.7183.70.2470.3080.3890.696
Road Games27-23+6.722-224.20.2610.3020.3960.6984.00.2480.3140.3990.714
vs Left-handed Starters18-17+1.311-203.80.2660.3030.3880.6913.90.2500.3100.3760.686
Past 7 Games4-3+1.13-43.90.2280.2530.3500.6034.40.2800.3370.4440.782
Turf Games0-2-21-14.00.2110.2220.2540.4766.00.3100.3870.4930.880
Day Games21-12+1015-144.90.2750.3210.4300.7514.30.2550.3150.4200.736
KANSAS CITY - Team Hitting and Fielding Statistics
Team BattingTeam BattingTeam Fielding
 RunsAVGOBPGABH2B3BHRSLGRBIBBSOSBLOBGIDPERRDPOSB
All Games4.30.2700.312102348094017827800.40641921459162665103598852
Road Games4.20.2610.3025017834668712430.3961951033231833157343923
Lefty Starters3.80.2660.303351230327644260.388130652062225034322918
KANSAS CITY - Bullpen Pitching Statistics
 ERAWHIPIPRERHHRBBSOW-LSVBSVPct.
All Games2.201.081343.392842592211231121-6341077.3%
Road Games2.491.121166494611715691548-517673.9%

TORONTO - Current Season Performance
 Team RecordsTeamOpponent
 W-LUnitsO-URunsAvgOBPSLGOPSRunsAvgOBPSLGOPS
All Games53-51-4.249-475.30.2640.3290.4420.7724.30.2540.3080.4070.715
Home Games31-20+3.720-295.50.2790.3500.4830.8333.70.2330.2870.3770.664
vs Right-handed Starters37-38-2.935-325.20.2610.3260.4360.7624.30.2500.3070.3980.705
Past 7 Games4-3-0.85-25.30.2830.3560.4540.8104.30.2450.2860.3690.656
Turf Games31-20+3.720-295.50.2790.3500.4830.8333.70.2330.2870.3770.664
Day Games21-18+0.718-175.50.2750.3420.4550.7974.40.2590.3060.4210.728
TORONTO - Team Hitting and Fielding Statistics
Team BattingTeam BattingTeam Fielding
 RunsAVGOBPGABH2B3BHRSLGRBIBBSOSBLOBGIDPERRDPOSB
All Games5.30.2640.3291043519928204101350.44252634573056641109649248
Home Games5.50.2790.3505116764681113750.4832751823042532354264027
Righty Starters5.20.2610.3267525476641427970.4363712485384146972506639
TORONTO - Bullpen Pitching Statistics
 ERAWHIPIPRERHHRBBSOW-LSVBSVPct.
All Games3.321.105311.3127115255338931113-19171553.1%
Home Games2.931.053156.7575113214331596-66650%
SCHEDULE AND RESULTS
KANSAS CITY - Schedule
 Team StatsOpp Stats
DateTeam StarterOpponentOpp StarterScoreW/LLineTot.O/UHLOBEHLOBE
7/18/2015GUTHRIE(R)@ CHI WHITE SOXQUINTANA(L)7-6W1057.5 ovO1715114121
7/19/2015DUFFY(L)@ CHI WHITE SOXSALE(L)4-1W1657 evU1361640
7/20/2015VENTURA(R)PITTSBURGHBURNETT(R)7-10L-1357 evO14811780
7/21/2015VARGAS(L)PITTSBURGHCOLE(R)3-1W+1057 ovU631892
7/22/2015VOLQUEZ(R)PITTSBURGHMORTON(R)5-1W-1257.5 evU960870
7/23/2015YOUNG(R)@ ST LOUISLACKEY(R)3-4L1307 unP1080760
7/24/2015GUTHRIE(R)HOUSTONKAZMIR(L)0-4L+1008 unU4501170
7/25/2015DUFFY(L)HOUSTONFELDMAN(R)2-1W-1408 unU760531
7/26/2015VENTURA(R)HOUSTONKEUCHEL(L)5-1W+1057 unU1140660
7/27/2015VOLQUEZ(R)@ CLEVELANDANDERSON(R)9-4W-1107.5 ovO1160981
7/28/2015YOUNG(R)@ CLEVELANDBAUER(R)2-1W1057.5 ovU531881
7/29/2015GUTHRIE(R)@ CLEVELANDKLUBER(R)1-12L1607.5 unO55118110
7/30/2015DUFFY(L)@ TORONTOESTRADA(R)2-5L1159 evU540770
7/31/2015CUETO(R)@ TORONTOHUTCHISON(R)6-7L1007.5 ovO10211591
8/1/2015VENTURA(R)@ TORONTOBUEHRLE(L) 
8/2/2015VOLQUEZ(R)@ TORONTOPRICE(L) 
8/4/2015DUFFY(L)@ DETROITVERLANDER(R) 
8/5/2015CUETO(R)@ DETROITSIMON(R) 
8/6/2015VENTURA(R)@ DETROITFARMER(R) 
8/7/2015VOLQUEZ(R)CHI WHITE SOXDANKS(L) 
8/8/2015 CHI WHITE SOX  

TORONTO - Schedule
 Team StatsOpp Stats
DateTeam StarterOpponentOpp StarterScoreW/LLineTot.O/UHLOBEHLOBE
7/18/2015DICKEY(R)TAMPA BAYRAMIREZ(L)2-3L-1359 unU661841
7/19/2015ESTRADA(R)TAMPA BAYARCHER(R)4-0W+1008 unU640420
7/21/2015BUEHRLE(L)@ OAKLANDGRAVEMAN(R)7-1W-1107.5 evO1071870
7/22/2015DOUBRONT(L)@ OAKLANDGRAY(R)3-4L1307 evP1211211100
7/23/2015DICKEY(R)@ OAKLANDPOMERANZ(L)5-2W-1208.5 ovU841540
7/24/2015ESTRADA(R)@ SEATTLEHERNANDEZ(R)2-5L1506.5 ovO760971
7/25/2015HUTCHISON(R)@ SEATTLEHAPP(L)8-6W-1308 unO881981
7/26/2015BUEHRLE(L)@ SEATTLEWALKER(R)5-6L-1207.5 unO9611371
7/28/2015DOUBRONT(L)PHILADELPHIAMORGAN(L)2-3L-2659.5 unU650620
7/29/2015DICKEY(R)PHILADELPHIAWILLIAMS(R)8-2W-2759 ovO1682762
7/30/2015ESTRADA(R)KANSAS CITYDUFFY(L)5-2W-1259 evU770540
7/31/2015HUTCHISON(R)KANSAS CITYCUETO(R)7-6W-1107.5 ovO15911021
8/1/2015BUEHRLE(L)KANSAS CITYVENTURA(R) 
8/2/2015PRICE(L)KANSAS CITYVOLQUEZ(R) 
8/3/2015DICKEY(R)MINNESOTASANTANA(R) 
8/4/2015ESTRADA(R)MINNESOTAHUGHES(R) 
8/5/2015HUTCHISON(R)MINNESOTAMILONE(L) 
8/6/2015BUEHRLE(L)MINNESOTAGIBSON(R) 
8/7/2015PRICE(L)@ NY YANKEES  
8/8/2015 @ NY YANKEES  
KEY GAME INFORMATION
KANSAS CITY: KANSAS CITY, Mo. (AP) - Every once in a while, Ned Yost will spin a story about his days on Bobby Cox's bench with the Atlanta Braves, back when the organization was winning NL pennants by the fistful.
Inevitably, Yost would start drawing comparisons to his Kansas City Royals - that they were building through the farm system in the same manner as the Braves, and Kansas City would embrace the franchise in the same way Atlanta did if it ever became a winner.
Last year, that narrative finally made sense.
After squeaking into the playoffs as a wild card, the Royals swept all the way to the World Series. If not for a virtuoso performance by Madison Bumgarner of the San Francisco Giants, the Royals might very well have been celebrating their second championship.
The postseason run led Yost to draw one more comparison when he arrived in Arizona for the start of a new season, and his players filed into the clubhouse for the first time.
''It definitely reminded me of that feeling in Atlanta,'' he said, ''when you came to spring training every year with the feeling that you have an opportunity to go to the World Series - instead of hoping, you know? And it's a different feeling.''
There is good reason for that feeling, too.
The Royals return most of the pieces from the club that ended a 29-year playoff drought, including one of the best bullpens in baseball history. And the pieces they did lose to free agency have been replaced with what could turn out to be upgrades.
Designated hitter Billy Butler is gone, Kendrys Morales signed in his place. Alex Rios is taking over for Nori Aoki in right field. Edinson Volquez was signed to fill the rotation spot of staff ace James Shields, who chased bigger money all the way to San Diego.
Even though a few faces have changed, the tenants that the Royals believe in have not: They will continue to rely on speed, defense and pitching to chase another playoff berth.
''Any time you're fortunate enough to keep those key pieces, you feel good,'' said Greg Holland, the Royals' All-Star closer. ''Yeah, we lost Billy and Shields and Nori, but for the most part, we're right where we need to be.''
Besides, the back end of the bullpen is still intact.
Kelvin Herrera harnessed his electrifying fastball to become a shutdown seventh-inning reliever last season. Former starter Wade Davis had a historically dominant year as the setup man. Holland further cemented his status as the AL's best closer.
''The way you tilt the field in your favor, in my opinion, is having quality pitching and really good defense,'' Royals general manager Dayton Moore said. ''Those are things that hopefully can show up every single day and perform for you.''
As the Royals approach opening day against the Chicago White Sox on April 6 at Kauffman Stadium, here are a few other story lines to watch this season:
THE ROTATION: Shields was the anchor in 2014, but he struggled mightily in the playoffs. So when the Royals signed Volquez to replace him, it was mostly met with a collective shrug.
Besides, the success of the rotation will more likely be determined by the success of young flamethrowers Danny Duffy and Yordano Ventura, both of whom have ace ability.
INJURY BUGS: The Royals stayed remarkably healthy last season. Will karma even out?
Second baseman Omar Infante already missed long stretches of spring training with a bone spur in his elbow that could require surgery next offseason. Left fielder Alex Gordon also got a slow start to the spring after undergoing wrist surgery this past offseason.
SLOW STARTS: The last couple of seasons, the Royals have gotten off to slow starts. They unsuccessfully dug out of a big hole two years ago, but pulled it off last season.
Considering every other team in the AL Central appeared to get better over the winter, the Royals can ill afford to let Detroit, Cleveland and Minnesota and the White Sox bury them.
RESTING SALVY: All-Star catcher Salvador Perez faded in the playoffs in part due to his heavy work load in the regular season, where he appeared in 150 games. Yost intends to give him more days off this year, though it's hard to take his bat out of the lineup.
BASEBALL TOWN: Did the World Series run turn Kansas City into a baseball town again? The club has been overshadowed for decades by the Chiefs, who play just across the parking lot in Arrowhead stadium. How will fans respond to having the reigning AL champions?
TORONTO: TORONTO (AP) - The upcoming season for the Toronto Blue Jays seems destined to be defined by the one young pitcher who'll miss it and the two even younger guys who'll try to replace him.
Toronto's plans for ending baseball's longest active playoff drought took a serious hit when Marcus Stroman suffered a season-ending knee injury in spring training.
The second-year right-hander tore a ligament when his knee buckled as he backed off a bunt during a pregame fielding drill. He's out for the year after undergoing surgery.
''It's tough,'' Stroman said. ''I just feel like I let my team down. I've worked harder than I ever had this offseason.''
The injury changed Toronto's thinking about 22-year-old right-hander Aaron Sanchez, who might have been closing games rather than starting them if Stroman was still healthy, and 21-year-old lefty Daniel Norris, the van-dwelling surfer dude.
The two pitchers now look likely to get their shot in Toronto's rotation, slotting in behind 200-inning workhorses R.A Dickey and Mark Buehrle, and 24-year-old right-hander Drew Hutchison.
How successful they are could well determine what happens to the Blue Jays, out of the postseason since winning their second straight World Series in 1993 and the only team that hasn't reached the playoffs this century.
''We may have to rely on a young guy who may not be proven,'' manager John Gibbons said. ''Stro was a baby, too, but a special guy.''
Sanchez has already shown signs that he could also be special. He excelled out of the bullpen in 24 games last season, posting three saves and a 1.09 ERA in 33 innings, striking out 27 while walking nine and holding opponents to a .128 average.
With the increased demands of a starting role lying ahead, the hard-throwing Sanchez has spent this spring refining his slider.
''With the way he throws, it could turn into a big strikeout pitch for him,'' Gibbons said.
The Blue Jays are also high on Norris, currently better known for spending his winters searching for prime surfing spots while living out of a 1978 Volkswagen camper van nicknamed ''Shaggy.''
''He's a different bird,'' Gibbons said. ''Anytime you live in a van, I wouldn't say that's normal.''
Norris had an abnormal 2014 season, rising from Class A to the majors after going 12-2 with a 2.53 ERA at three minor league stops. He underwent elbow surgery last October to remove bone spurs, and expects to be better this year than the pitcher who made five appearances for the Blue Jays in September.
''He's a student of the game,'' Gibbons said. ''He's a very smart kid and he's grounded. He's got the most important thing: He's got a great arm.''
After Jose Reyes and the Blue Jays went 83-79, here's what else to watch as they try to move up:
MIGHTY MIGUEL: Sanchez and Norris aren't the only impressive young arms expected to break camp with the Blue Jays. Right-hander Miguel Castro, 20, didn't allow a run in his first five spring appearances, striking out eight and walking none while allowing three hits over nine innings. A hard thrower who stands an imposing 6-foot-5, Castro has put himself in position to jump from Class A, where he went 8-3 with a 2.68 ERA last season, all the way to the majors. ''He looks like a seasoned vet out there, under control, very relaxed,'' Gibbons said.
NEW GUYS, NEW FOCUS: Toronto strengthened its lineup over the winter by signing free agent catcher Russell Martin to a five-year, $82 million contract and acquiring All-Star third baseman Josh Donaldson from Oakland. Slugger Jose Bautista has praised the newcomers for making a difference in the clubhouse with their winning pedigree and intense focus. ''We need something along those lines here every now and then,'' Bautista said. ''It's good to have guys to whom winning matters.''
BLOCKING THE PLATE: Adding Martin gave the Blue Jays a logjam at catcher, where incumbent Dioner Navarro is signed through 2015 and Josh Thole is Dickey's knuckleball specialist. Martin has worked hard this spring to prove he can handle Dickey's floater, which could mean Thole is ticketed for Triple-A. Or, Toronto may yet trade the switch-hitting Navarro to open room at DH for Edwin Encarnacion, who has been slowed this spring by a balky back and may not be able to handle regular duty at first base.
PREVIEW
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ PA SPORTSTICKER AL PREVIEW (KANSAS CITY-TORONTO) ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

*Royals-Blue Jays Preview* ==========================

By CHRIS ALTRUDA STATS Editor

Kansas City (61-40) at Toronto (52-51), 1:07 p.m. EDT

Being buyers before the trade deadline has put a bounce in the Toronto Blue Jays.

After their aggressive flurry of deals to spark a postseason push, the Blue Jays seek a fourth consecutive victory Saturday when they continue their series against the Kansas City Royals.

Toronto's wheeling and dealing brought some of the marquee names available north of the border in pitcher David Price and shortstop Troy Tulowitzki. The Blue Jays (53-51) added Ben Revere from Philadelphia on Friday prior to the deadline, giving them speed at the top of a power-based lineup.

"I just want to try to get on base and let the big boys do the work," said Revere, who has 24 stolen bases and joins a Blue Jays team third in the majors with 135 homers.

In the thick of the wild-card race and lingering in the AL East race, Toronto was able to win without the longball in Friday night's 7-6, 11-inning victory as it rallied twice from three-run deficits. Josh Donaldson provided an RBI double and scored the tying run in a three-run seventh before plating Tulowitzki with a one-out walkoff single as the Blue Jays improved to 6-24 when failing to homer.

"He left me a pitch over the middle of the plate, what I was kind of waiting for the entire time," said Donaldson, who is 7 for 13 with a homer and three doubles his last three games. "I didn't miss it."

While Price isn't slated to make his Blue Jays debut until Monday, they are in more than capable hands with Mark Buehrle (11-5, 3.29 ERA). The left-hander is 4-0 with a 1.26 ERA in as many starts versus the Royals since joining Toronto in 2013, and limited them to two runs in seven innings of a 6-2 road victory July 11.

Buehrle's 26 wins against Kansas City (61-41) are his second-most against any team, trailing only the 29 he's accumulated facing Minnesota. He's 5-1 in eight starts at Rogers Centre this year while being backed with 8.94 runs per outing - the best run support in the majors when pitching at home.

Ben Zobrist - 12 for 33 lifetime versus Buehrle - had a two-run single for his first hit with the Royals, who are looking to avoid a season high-tying fourth straight loss. Their vaunted bullpen gave up four runs Friday, spoiling Johnny Cueto's debut, and their relievers have a 4.96 ERA halfway through this 10-game road trip - well above their 2.20 season mark.

Kelvin Herrera may not be available after throwing 34 pitches in back-to-back games and All-Star Wade Davis is day to day with a sore back. Closer Greg Holland has yet to pitch in this four-game set, and Ned Yost may shy away from using Ryan Madson - seven of the 13 runs he's given up this year have come in his last two appearances against Toronto, during which he's retired one batter.

Yordano Ventura (5-7, 4.86), who got a reprieve from a demotion to the minors, tries to win a second consecutive start. Still in the rotation only because Jason Vargas suffered a season-ending elbow injury, Ventura recalled flashes of his 14-win rookie season in 2014, limiting Houston to one run in seven innings of a 5-1 victory Sunday.

"The two things that helped today was that I attacked the hitters and I threw inside," Ventura told MLB's official website via a translator. "I feel like I pitched similar to last year."

Ventura allowed two hits over five scoreless innings in his lone career start against the Blue Jays last April.


Last Updated: 3/19/2024 8:41:54 AM EST.


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