Blue Jays series Preview: New-look Royals Head north of the border

The royals added four new players to the Roster at the Trade Deadline – Outfielder Mike Yastrzemski and World Ryan Bergert, Bailey Falter and Stephen Kolek (who probably go to the minors), in addition to the acquisitions of Randal Grichuk and Adam Frazier earlier in the month. The first place Blue Jays also made many movements and took relievers on Seranthony Domínguez and Louis Varland, as well as first Honkman Ty France. The Jays have just completed their best month, went in July 18-8 and tied the tigers for the best record in the American League.

Kansas City Royals (54-55) vs. Toronto Blue Jays (64-46) in Rogers Center, Toronto, op

Royals: 3.61 runs scored/game (28th in MLB), 3.77 runs allowed/game (2nd)

Blue Jays: 4.73 runs scored/game (8th), 4.60 runs allowed/game (23rd)

The Jays have lost four of their last five and have given up no less than 48 points in those games, most of them at the low orioles. The Blue Jays have scored many points, even though they have not hit many home runs. They have the highest stroke average in baseball and the lowest strikeout percentage.

Vladimir Guerrero Jr. is on fire and hits .373/.480/.566 with three home runs in its last 22 games. George Springer has been hotter and hit .378/.457/.622 with eight home runs in his last 29 games. Rookie Joey Loperfido also came and the competition conquered with storms and hit .396 in July, with six hits in his last nine record performances. Journeyman Catcher Tyler Heineman has also had a tear and fills in for starter Alejandro Kirk and hit at home .372/.408/.628.

Ty France has been a Royals-Killer and hit .392/.473/.654 with 8 home runs in 34 career competitions. He hits 12-from-25 (.480) against Michael Wacha in his career. Ernie Clement has the seventh lowest strikeout percentage in baseball. Addison Barger only hits .211/.262/.368 against left. David Schneider hits .195/.313/.341 against righties.

Only four teams steal fewer bases and only two teams take fewer extra bases on the BasePaths. The Blue Jays are an above-average defensive team, with Ernie Clement a striking in third place, with the outfield defense a lot of shakier. Tyler Heineman has thrown away 10 of the 24 so -called basestal players, the third highest total for catchers caught stealing at least 10.

Kevin Gausman is a dual all-star who led the competition in Strikeout rate in 2023. He gave up seven points in a start on June 19, but has since had a 1.96 ERA in six starts. He has been considerably better on the road, with opponents .247/.299/.426 hit him in Rogers Center. Adam Frazier is a career .390/.405/.488 in 42 record performances against Gausman.

Max Scherzer missed three months with a thumb and forearm injury, but has returned and a season high 11 in his last time-out against Detroit. Righties only touch him against him .211/.258/.351. It is still quite effective, with opponents only batting against it, compared to .300 against his slider. Salvador Perez is a career .323/.344/.581 with two home runs in 32 plate performances against Scherzer.

Chris Bassitt has the 12th lowest walking speed between qualified starters at 5.6 percent. He has the 17th highest ground ball percentage at 46.1 percent and the sixth highest pop-up percentage at 13.7 percent. He also leads the competition in the highest percentage of soft contact induced. He has given up five home runs in his last two starts and has an ERA of 6.16 about his last six starts. Lefties hit .288/.346/.478 against him. He has been noticeably better at home with a 2.65 ERA in 12 starts.

Jeff Hoffman has converted 25 of 29 Save opportunities, but he has an ugly 4.76 ERA. Brendon Little has the 11th highest strikeout percentage among relievers at 35 percent, but the second highest walking percentage at 14.6 percent. He has a touch of 55.7 percent on his knuckle curve. Opponents only touch the sliding regulator of Yariel Rodriguez. Seranthony Dominguez has given only three earned runs in 25 ²⁄ ⁄₃ Innings during his last 25 games for a 1.05 ERA.

The Blue Jays have one of the best records in baseball, but they have considerably surpassed their run differential. They have the second best home record on 37-17, and they are the third best team against opponents with a .500 record or better at 35-25. The royals were pretty active at the deadline, and hopefully their new additions can close the gap between them and the top teams in the competition.