Blue Jays at Royals
The Kansas City Royals have squandered the first six outings of their current 10-game homestand and have lost seven straight heading into their four-game set with the Toronto Blue Jays. Toronto is happy to hit the road after taking back-to-back beatings at the hands of Tampa Bay. After winning the series opener at home, the Blue Jays allowed 21 runs in the final two games of the series.
Kansas City is hoping a day away from the ballpark can refocus its team as it received its first true day off in seven weeks on Thursday. Toronto’s pitching staff welcomes the change of venue. It posted an ERA of 5.00 in its first nine games inside the Rogers Centre.
TV: 8:07 p.m. ET, RSN (Toronto), FSKC (Kansas City)
PITCHING MATCHUP: Blue Jays RH Kyle Drabek (2-0, 1.42 ERA) vs. Royals RH Luke Hochevar (1-1, 7.84 ERA)
Drabek was supposed to be keeping a rotation spot warm for Dustin McGowan, but he’s playing his way into a starring role. The right-hander has allowed just one earned run in each of his first two starts - most recently going 7 1/3 innings versus Baltimore, allowing one run on six hits with six strikeouts. He’s made one start against the Royals in his career, giving up five runs in 5 1/3 innings last June.
Hochevar has a solid career record versus Toronto, going 3-1 with a 3.41 ERA. The righty is coming off a rough outing against Cleveland, giving up seven runs on nine hits in just four innings before getting hit in the ankle. He missed his spot in the rotation Wednesday, giving him six days to recover.
WALK-OFFS:
1. Kansas City is 0-4 in series openers this season.
2. The Royals edged the Blue Jays 4-3 in their seven meetings in 2011.
3. Toronto gave up seven home runs in three games with Tampa Bay and has allowed 17 homers on the season. Kansas City is 23rd in the majors with just nine home runs on the year.