Royals @ Blue Jays (series II)

The Royals (21-26) begin a four game set against the Blue Jays (24-25) tonight in Toronto. The Blue Jays are playing well and the Royals are reeling a little bit...could be a rough end to a rough road trip.


Game 1: Zack Greinke (5-1, 2.18 ERA) against Roy Halladay (4-5, 3.38 ERA)


Greinke has been the most consistent of the Royals starters thus far this season, he has yet to allow more than. His last time out, against Florida, he pitched 6 innings allowing 3 runs in picking up his 5th win. Lifetime Greinke is 1-2, with a 4.05 ERA; in his last outing against Toronto he picked up a no decision despite pitching 7 innings with only 1 run allowed. Kevin Mench has hit Greinke the best going 4 for 10 with 2 doubles and 2 RBI.


Halladay has been his normal spectacular self this season picking up a decision in every start. In his last start Halladay went 6.2 innings in picking up his 4th win. Lifetime Halladay is 7-3, with a 3.11 ERA; he has yet to face the Royals this season. The Royals are hitting a combined .113 against Halladay.


Game 2: Luke Hochevar (3-3, 4.29 ERA) against Jesse Litsch (5-1, 4.22 ERA)


Hochevar has been the Royals most consistent starter outside of Greinke, he has pitched at least 6 innings in every start except his first. In his last start he took the loss against Boston throwing 6 innings allowing 4 runs. Luke Hochevar won his only start against Toronto giving up only 1 run in 6 innings. Greg Zaun and Scott Rolen both are 1 for 2 with a double against Hochevar.


Litsch has been up and down for the Jays, mostly up however. Litsch won his last start against the Twins but only went 5.2 innings. He is 1-1 lifetime vs. the Royals with a 1.98 ERA, he picked up that win in his last outing against the Royals allowing 1 run in 7 innings. Teahen is 3 for 6 against Litsch in the past with a HR and RBI.


Game 3: Gil Meche (3-6, 5.58 ERA) against Dustin McGowan (2-4, 4.21 ERA)


Meche pitched well his last outing in Boston, yet picked up the loss. Meche is 4-5 with a 5.01 ERA lifetime against the Jays, and is 0-1 this year in one outing giving up 3 runs over 6.2 innings. Alexis Rios has given Meche fits going 10-13 against him in the past.


McGowan has been inconsistent so far this year for the Jays, especially in terms of innings per start but he has kept the score down fairly well. McGowan is 0-1 lifetime against the Royals and hasn't faced them this year. Alex Gordon is 3-3 with a HR and 2 RBI vs. McGowan.

Game 4: Brett Tomko (2-5, 5.76 ERA) against Shaun Marcum (4-3, 2.80 ERA)

Tomko continues his up and down season against the Blue Jays in which he is 2-0 with a 6.08 ERA. Tomko lost his last outing in Boston 3-6. Scott Rolen has done damage to Tomko in the past hitting .409 with a homer and 3 RBI.

Kansas City native Marcum has been really good this year, not allowing 4 runs in any start. He has also done well against the Royals with a career 2-1 record with a 1.05 ERA. Only Grudz has at least 2 hits in the past against Marcum as the Royals have a combined .114 BAA.