Toronto Blue Jays (89-64, first in the AL East) vs. Kansas City Royals (76-77, third in the AL Central)

Kansas City, Missouri; Friday, 7:40 p.m. EDT

PITCHING PROBABLES: Blue Jays: Trey Yesavage (0-0, 1.80 ERA, 1.00 WHIP, nine strikeouts); Royals: Michael Lorenzen (5-11, 4.91 ERA, 1.38 WHIP, 114 strikeouts)

BOTTOM LINE: The Kansas City Royals host the Toronto Blue Jays to start a three-game series.

Kansas City has gone 41-37 in home games and 76-77 overall. The Royals have the fourth-ranked team ERA in the AL at 3.78.

Toronto has a 39-39 record in road games and an 89-64 record overall. The Blue Jays have a 64-15 record in games when they have more hits than their opponents.

Friday’s game is the fourth time these teams square off this season.

TOP PERFORMERS: Bobby Witt Jr. has 42 doubles, six triples and 22 home runs for the Royals. Vinnie Pasquantino is 12 for 41 with four doubles and a home run over the past 10 games.

Vladimir Guerrero Jr. has 33 doubles and 23 home runs for the Blue Jays. George Springer is 13 for 42 with two doubles and two home runs over the last 10 games.

LAST 10 GAMES: Royals: 3-7, .228 batting average, 5.82 ERA, outscored by 18 runs

Blue Jays: 7-3, .249 batting average, 2.47 ERA, outscored opponents by 18 runs

INJURIES: Royals: Ryan Bergert: 15-Day IL (elbow), Kyle Isbel: 10-Day IL (hamstring), Seth Lugo: 15-Day IL (back), Bailey Falter: 15-Day IL (biceps), Hunter Harvey: 15-Day IL (abductor), Steven Cruz: 15-Day IL (shoulder), Kris Bubic: 60-Day IL (rotator cuff), Alec Marsh: 60-Day IL (shoulder), James McArthur: 60-Day IL (elbow)

Blue Jays: Bo Bichette: 10-Day IL (knee), Robinson Pina: 60-Day IL (elbow), Nick Sandlin: 60-Day IL (elbow), Yimi Garcia: 60-Day IL (ankle), Bowden Francis: 60-Day IL (shoulder), Ryan Burr: 60-Day IL (shoulder), Anthony Santander: 60-Day IL (shoulder), Angel Bastardo: 60-Day IL (elbow)

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The Associated Press created this story using technology provided by Data Skrive and data from Sportradar.