Playoffs game blog: Toronto and Kansas City begin series to decide AL championship

The two teams with the best records in the American League meet tonight in Game 1 of the American League Championship Series when Kansas City (95-67) hosts Toronto (93-69).

Both teams produced stirring comebacks to advance to this series. The Blue Jays became only the third team to win a best-of-five series when losing the first two at home as they beat Texas. Kansas City trailed Houston 2-1 in the series and trailed by four runs in the eighth inning of Game 4 before a comeback that led to their series victory over the Astros.

Toronto won the season series, four wins to three over the Royals. They outscored K.C. 39-33 in the seven games. Toronto hit .274 with an OPS of .805 in those games, while Kansas City hit .249 with an OPS of .648.

Both teams were good at home this year as Toronto's 53-28 mark tied Houston for the AL's best home record. K.C. ranked third in the league at 51-30. Toronto led the league with 232 homers while Kansas City ranked 14th with 139 home runs.

On the mound tonight, Blue Jays right-hander Marco Estrada (13-8, 3.13 ERA) pitches against Royals right-hander Edison Volquez (13-9, 3.55 ERA).

Estrada went 7-3 with a 2.78 ERA in 15 starts in the second half, including a 1-0 record and 2.20 ERA in his last four starts. Then he won Game 3 against Texas, going 6 1/3 innings, and allowing five hits and one run.

Volquez struggled down the stretch in the regular season, going 1-2 with a 5.18 ERA in six September starts. He took a loss in Game 3 against Houston, going 5 2/3 innings, and allowing five hits and three runs.

Toronto's David Price is the Game 2 starter against K.C.'s Yordano Ventura, with Marcus Stroman listed for Game 3 against the Royals' Johnny Cueto.

These teams have nearly identical team batting stats in the playoffs so far. Kansas City has scored 25 runs on a .244 team average with eight homers, four stolen bases, 15 walks and 36 strikeouts. Toronto has scored 26 runs on a .228 average with eight homers, four stolen bases, 15 walks and 35 strikeouts.

Updated postseason odds from Bovada/Odds to win the World Series:

9/5 - Toronto Blue Jays
5/2 - Chicago Cubs
10/3 - New York Mets
18/5 - Kansas City Royals

Exact World Series Matchup:

9/5 - Toronto against Chicago Cubs
11/4 - Toronto against New York Mets
11/4 - Kansas City Royals against Chicago Cubs
4/1 - Kansas City against New York Mets