Blue Jays vs Royals: Starting Lineup - Game One Preview

Coming off a tough series split in Tampa, the Blue Jays move on to Kansas City for their final road series of the regular season in a battle between two teams that got shut out on Thursday.

After six straight wins gave them a reasonable cushion in the American League East, the Jays dropped their final two games against the Rays, scoring only one run and managing just eight hits combined.

The Jays were rolling until that two-game speed bump at Steinbrenner Field, and now as they try to get back on track they'll play a Royals team that has fallen out of the playoff race over the last two weeks.

As the team continues to look for its first ticket to the playoffs in two years on Friday, Sportsnet struck a deal with Apple TV to simulcast the broadcast of a game against the Kansas City Royals on Rogers airwaves.

Blue Jays veteran Max Scherzer goes up against Royals starter Michael Lorenzen. First pitch is at 7:40 PM ET on Sportsnet and AppleTV+.

In his last outing Max Scherzer (5-3) allowed two runs on four hits and two walks while striking out five batters over five innings in a no-decision against Baltimore.

Scherzer labored in the first inning, giving up two runs and allowing the first three batters he faced to reach base.

The veteran hurler bounced back impressively thereafter, keeping the Orioles off the scoreboard for the remainder of his outing.

Overall, Scherzer tossed 64 of 91 pitches for strikes and got 14 whiffs en route to five punchouts.

This was the first time he's been able to complete five innings in his past three starts and the first time he's allowed fewer than four runs across his past four outings.

In his last outing Michael Lorenzen (5-11) took the loss, allowing six runs on 10 hits and two walks over three innings against Philadelphia. He struck out three.

Lorenzen surrendered just one run across the first two innings but gave up three in the third and was pulled after surrendering three straight doubles to open the fourth inning.

The veteran right-hander has lost his past three starts and has a 6.18 ERA in six outings since returning from an oblique injury in mid-August.

Guerrero has been key for Toronto with 23 home runs, 81 RBI and a batting average of .300 this season.

George Springer is slugging .543 this season, with a team-best 29 homers while driving in 78 runs.

Ernie Clement is slashing .280/.315/.404 this season for the Blue Jays.

Bobby Witt leads the Royals with a .291 batting average.

Maikel Garcia has 36 doubles, five triples, 16 home runs and 57 walks while batting .286.

Vinnie Pasquantino leads the Royals with 30 home runs and 104 runs batted in.

Blue Jays:Bo Bichette: 10 Day IL (Knee), Ryan Burr: 60 Day IL (Shoulder), Yimi Garcia: 60 Day IL (Ankle), Robinson Pina: 60 Day IL (Elbow), Nick Sandlin: 60 Day IL (Elbow), Bowden Francis: 60 Day IL (Shoulder), Anthony Santander: 60 Day IL (Shoulder), Angel Bastardo: 60 Day IL (Elbow)

Royals:Kyle Isbel: 10 Day IL (Hamstring), Ryan Bergert: 15 Day IL (Elbow), Hunter Harvey: 15 Day IL (Abductor), Steven Cruz: 15 Day IL (Shoulder), Bailey Falter: 15 Day IL (Biceps), Seth Lugo: 15 Day IL (Back), Alec Marsh: 60 Day IL (Shoulder), James McArthur: 60 Day IL (Elbow), Kris Bubic: 60 Day IL (Rotator cuff)