The Royals are playing without four of their top five players this weekend due to Canada’s COVID-19 restrictions, along with multiple other players. Left fielder Edward Olivares had three hits on Thursday, while shortstop Bobby Witt Jr. added two hits. They will be facing a Toronto pitching staff that is No. 20 with an ERA of 4.03. Left-handed pitcher Daniel Lynch is going to start for Kansas City on Saturday afternoon. He spent a few days on the injured list due to a blister on his left index finger, but he returned on Monday to allow three runs across four innings before exiting with another injury to a finger on his left hand. Lynch, who is 3-7 with a 4.92 ERA this season, has been cleared to start on Saturday.
The Blue Jays have been outstanding at the plate this year, ranked second in the majors in batting average (.259). Shortstop Bo Bichette leads the team with 97 hits, including 14 home runs. Left fielder Lourdes Gurriel and first baseman Vlad Guerrero Jr. each have 89 hits—Guerrero has hit a team-high 20 homers. They are facing a Kansas City pitching staff that is No. 27 with an ERA of 4.79. Toronto is currently without multiple starting pitchers due to injuries allowing Max Castillo another opportunity to start. He made a spot start on Sunday, allowing three runs on three hits and a walk across 4.1 innings. Castillo has a 2.30 ERA and 0.83 WHIP across 15.2 innings during his rookie season.