Royals vs Blue Jays: Starting Lineup - Opening Game Preview

The Blue Jays are returning from a 4-4 road trip, have a 3 1/2-game lead in the American League East over the second-place New York Yankees.

Toronto has a 64-46 record overall and a 37-17 record at home. The Blue Jays have a 46-3 record in games when they scored five or more runs.

Kansas City has a 54-55 record overall and a 26-27 record in road games. The Royals have a 22-44 record in games when they have allowed at least one home run.

The matchup Friday is the first meeting of the season between the two teams.

Bo Bichette has 32 doubles, a triple and 13 home runs for the Blue Jays. Nathan Lukes is 7 for 38 with a double and four home runs over the past 10 games.

Maikel Garcia has 28 doubles, five triples, 10 home runs and 46 RBIs while hitting .301 for the Royals. Salvador Perez is 12 for 38 with two doubles and four home runs over the last 10 games.

Blue Jays: 5-5, .309 batting average, 6.07 ERA, outscored by six runs

Royals: 7-3, .245 batting average, 3.66 ERA, outscored opponents by 13 runs

Blue Jays: Shane Bieber: 60-Day IL (elbow), George Springer: day-to-day (head), Bowden Francis: 60-Day IL (shoulder), Alejandro Kirk: 7-Day IL (concussion), Ryan Burr: 60-Day IL (shoulder), Nick Sandlin: 15-Day IL (elbow), Andres Gimenez: 10-Day IL (ankle), Yimi Garcia: 15-Day IL (ankle), Anthony Santander: 60-Day IL (shoulder), Daulton Varsho: 10-Day IL (hamstring), Alek Manoah: 60-Day IL (elbow), Angel Bastardo: 60-Day IL (elbow)

Royals: Kris Bubic: 60-Day IL (rotator cuff), Jac Caglianone: 10-Day IL (hamstring), Nick Loftin: 7-Day IL (concussion), Michael Lorenzen: 15-Day IL (oblique), Cole Ragans: 60-Day IL (rotator cuff), Mark Canha: 10-Day IL (elbow), Daniel Lynch: 15-Day IL (elbow), Michael Massey: 10-Day IL (ankle), Alec Marsh: 60-Day IL (shoulder), James McArthur: 60-Day IL (elbow)