Gamethread CXI – Royals at Blue Jays

The Royals showed up in the first game after the deadline looking like a dominant force. An eight-inning outing from Michael Wacha, combined with four home runs,s led to one of the easier wins against what had been, until recently, one of the better teams in the AL. The Royals will attempt to duplicate the effort and secure their fourth series win in a row tonight.

Noah Cameron will go for the Royals. What’s left to say about the rookie? He’s been absolutely phenomenal, and if it weren’t for Nick Kurtz, an argument could have been made that he deserved rookie of the year honors. Tonight will be a challenge for the lefty because the Blue Jays have an excellent offense, even if they didn’t look particularly good against Wacha last night.

The Blue Jays will counter with Max Scherzer. Scherzer seems destined for the Hall of Fame and is very familiar to Royals fans after spending so many years at Missouri and then in Detroit. But, at age 41, he is not the pitcher he once was as he carries a 4.89 ERA, though a 3.52 SIERA, into tonight’s contest. He has yet to allow fewer than two runs in a start, but his last start against the Tigers was pretty good. He struck out 11, walked none, and allowed only three hits in seven innings. Unfortunately, all three hits were in the same inning, and the last one was a home run, so he took the loss when each of the relievers who followed him also allowed three runs.

Lineups

Everyone who smashed a home run for the Royals last night will return to the lineup. Randal Grichuk will give way to John Rave in this one, however. The Jays’ deadly lineup will still be missing Alejandro Kirk and George Springer, both on the concussion list, but Nathan Lukes and Daulton Varsho will also be out facing a lefty, which would appear to further benefit the Royals.

The Royals’ playoff odds don’t hinge on winning this series against the Jays, fortunately, but doing so would still be a boon for the true boys in blue. The Royals have a real chance to accomplish that tonight, along with giving themselves an opportunity at an even more precious sweep.