Every season in Major League Baseball, it seems like there is one bad team that makes a late-season run to give the fans and front office hope for the next season. Whether that's real hope or fool's good is often a coin flip. The Kansas City Royals are the hottest team in the American League but going nowhere this year as they carry an eight-game winning streak into a series opener in Toronto tonight.
It's a 7:07 ET first pitch. There is only about a month left in the season, but it's the first meeting of 2026 between the clubs. Only Boston (eight) has more series wins in the American League since the All-Star break than the Blue Jays (seven) and Royals (six).
Bet $5+ and get $200 in bonus bets when you bet on baseball at DraftKings: About two weeks ago, Kansas City's postseason chances were nil, and that hasn't really changed according to the SportsLine Projection Model. Despite this eight-game win streak, the team was just too buried in the AL Central and AL wild card standings. The Central division is still out of reach, and the Royals (58-74) are eight games out of the final wild card spot.
No team has ever gone from 50-74 to making the playoffs. I would say the only thing the team's longest winning streak since May 2024 has accomplished is to improve the chances of manager Matt Quatraro returning for 2027. A return to health has played a big role, as an underachieving offense has awoken.
Kansas City is averaging 6.3 runs per game during the streak while slashing .299/.380/.408. Slugging lefty Vinnie Pasquantino is 10-for-22 with four doubles and five RBI since coming off the injured list. Fans can try MLB betting on the best sports betting apps and get bonuses.
They can also check out the SportsLine Projection Model for picks on games like Royals-Blue Jays from the model's 10,000 simulations, as well as from our experts. The team saw the return of Maikel Garcia from about two months on the injured list early last week, only for Garcia to return to the IL on Friday with a hamstring injury. Rookie slugger Jac Caglianone, who competed in the All-Star Home Run Derby, was out Sunday with a sore ankle but should return and avoid another IL stint.
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