Game 6 Preview: Blue Jays vs. Royals, Alek Manoah on the mound, lineups, more

Toronto Blue Jays v St. Louis Cardinals
Toronto Blue Jays v St. Louis Cardinals | Joe Puetz/GettyImages

The Toronto Blue Jays have to be feeling good after the all-around success that was Tuesday night's game against the Kansas City Royals. Left-hander Yusei Kikuchi stepped up big time, going five innings and limiting the Royals to just one earned run on three hits.

Daulton Varsho was also a jack-of-all-trades for the Jays, showing off his cannon of a throwing arm, home run swing and even throwing in a bunt single for good measure. This is exactly what the Jays were looking for when they traded for him.

For Wednesday's game, staff ace Alek Manoah will look to improve upon what was a poor Opening Day showing for him last week. Obviously, this is not the norm for Manoah, so the need to panic is very, very low at this point. This Royals lineup should provide him a little bit less pressure than the always-dangerous St. Louis Cardinals did.

On the other side of the mound, longtime veteran and potential Hall of Famer Zack Greinke is set to start for the Royals. Greinke, 39, is in his 20th season in the big leagues and started it off on the right foot, going 5.1 innings with four strikeouts in his first start of the year.

Toronto Blue Jays starting lineup: April 5, 2023

1. RF George Springer

2. SS Bo Bichette

3. 1B Vladimir Guerrero Jr.

4. CF Daulton Varsho

5. 3B Matt Chapman

6. C Alejandro Kirk

7. DH Brandon Belt

8. LF Whit Merrifield

9. 2B Cavan Biggio

Lineup changes from previous game: Danny Jansen, Santiago Espinal, Kevin Kiermaier out; Cavan Biggio, Alejandro Kirk, Brandon Belt in.

Stat to know: Brandon Belt has a boatload of experience against Greinke dating back to their days as NL West rivals. Belt has a .300 batting average with two home runs and five RBI against the right-hander over the course of his career.

Kansas City Royals starting lineup: April 5, 2023

1. SS Bobby Witt Jr.

2. RF MJ Melendez

3. 1B Vinnie Pasquantino

4. C Salvador Perez

5. 2B Michael Massey

6. LF Nick Pratto

7. DH Franmil Reyes

8. 3B Nicky Lopez

9. CF Jackie Bradley Jr.

Schedule