ALCS preview: Royals vs. Blue Jays

Offense

As the Rangers found out, you can’t keep the Blue Jays hitters down for long. The bad news for Kansas City is that all of the big four for Toronto had their moments in the postseason, as Jose Bautista, Edwin Encarnacion, Troy Tulowitzki and Josh Donaldson homered. Kevin Pillar though may have been the offensive MVP of the American League Division Series, which gives Kansas City another threat to worry about. The Royals aren’t exactly overmatched. Kendrys Morales (.290), Eric Hosmer (.297) and Mike Moustakas (.284) had big seasons. Outfielder Lorenzo Cain quietly had a big season too (.307, 16 home runs, 72 RBIs). Advantage: Blue Jays

Pitching

Toronto has the biggest commodity in the series in lefty ace David Price, who should be good for two starts in the series if needed even though he hasn’t had much success in the postseason (2-6, 5.04 ERA). Right-hander Marcus Stroman is solid and Marco Estrada has a baffling changeup. Kansas City has a dynamic top three starters in Edinson Volquez, Yordano Ventura and Johnny Cueto. When they’re on, they all have dominant stuff, but all three have had bouts of inconsistency. Toronto’s bullpen took a hit with the loss of lefty specialist Brett Cecil and has a rookie closer in Roberto Osuna. Kansas City’s bullpen is rock-solid even without Greg Holland (out with season-ending elbow injury). Closer Wade Davis (0.94 ERA in regular season) is nearly unhittable. Advantage: Even

Intangibles

Both of these teams were dead in the American League Division Series. Toronto was down 2-0 to the Rangers and needed a horrible defensive seventh inning by the Rangers to win Game 5. Kansas City was written off in Game 4 against Houston by the Texas governor, who sent a congratulatory tweet out to the Astros before the Royals rallied to force a decisive Game 5. If it’s a battle of mojo to decide the series, it’s too close to call. Advantage: Even

Prediction: Blue Jays in six. When all else fails, go with the team that can mash the ball. Neither team has a strong enough pitching staff to quiet the other team’s bats. That gives Toronto the edge because its offensive lineup is deeper. And as the Rangers found out in Game 5, the Rogers Centre is a tough place to play when the crowd gets into the game.

This story was originally published October 15, 2015 at 1:50 PM with the headline "ALCS preview: Royals vs. Blue Jays."