Royals-Blue Jays today only on Facebook
Kennedy, Happ off to hot starts entering series finale
MLB's digital-only national broadcasts continue today with the Royals-Blue Jays matchup at Rogers Centre streaming live exclusively on Facebook.
The series finale between these American League clubs marks the third of 25 streaming broadcasts scheduled for 2018 as part of MLB's partnership with Facebook. Fans can catch the 4:07 p.m. ET contest by logging onto Facebook's MLB Live page from their phones, tablets, smart TVs or other streaming devices. MLB Network will produce the game with play-by-play man Scott Braun, analysts Cliff Floyd and Jeremy Guthrie, and in-game reporter Alexa Datt. It will be the broadcast debut for Guthrie, who retired from the big leagues last year after a 13-year career that included a four-season stint with the Royals. He was a member of their 2015 World Series title team.
How to watch on mobile and desktop
- Search for "MLB Live" on Facebook
- Follow the "MLB Live" show page
How to watch on TV - Download the Facebook video app on your TV or streaming device and search for "MLB Live"
- Or stream the game from your phone to a TV on the same Wi-Fi network by tapping the TV icon
Upcoming Facebook games (all times ET)
• Today: KC-TOR, 4:07 p.m.
• Thursday, April 26: ARI-PHI, 1:05 p.m.
• Thursday, May 3: LAD-ARI, 3:40 p.m.
• Thursday, May 10: SF-PHI, 1:05 p.m.
• Wednesday, May 16: TEX-SEA, 3:40 p.m.
• Thursday, May 24: LAA-TOR, 12:37 p.m.
• Wednesday, May 30: STL-MIL, 1:10 p.m.
What to know about the Royals-Blue Jays game
Left-hander J.A. Happ will start the series finale for the Blue Jays, while the Royals are set to counter with right-hander Ian Kennedy. Happ originally was scheduled to pitch Sunday's series finale against the Indians, but he was repeatedly pushed back following three consecutive games that were postponed because of poor weather.
Happ hasn't pitched since April 9, when he allowed one run on five hits over six innings. The 35-year-old has struck out nine during each of his past two starts, and he has a total of 23 strikeouts this season compared to five walks over 16 innings. Happ is 2-3 with a 4.25 ERA in six career starts vs. Kansas City.
Kennedy, meanwhile, has allowed just two runs through three starts, each outing lasting six innings, and struck out 16 batters against four walks. The 12-year veteran hurler, now in his third season with the Royals, is looking to rebound from a down 2017 (5-13, 5.38 ERA). He has only one win to show for his 2018 performance, however, as they have scored just five runs in the three games he's started.
Kennedy will have the advantage of missing Blue Jays star Josh Donaldson, who landed on the disabled list on Friday with right shoulder inflammation. Yangervis Solarte will assume the majority of time at third base in Donaldson's absence, with Russell Martin and Mpho' Ngoepe also filling in.