'%20x='0'%20y='0'%20height='100%25'%20width='100%25'%20%0A%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20xlink%3Ahref='data:image/jpg;base64,/9j/2wBDAAYEBQYFBAYGBQYHBwYIChAKCgkJChQODwwQFxQYGBcUFhYaHSUfGhsjHBYWICwgIyYnKSopGR8tMC0oMCUoKSj/2wBDAQcHBwoIChMKChMoGhYaKCgoKCgoKCgoKCgoKCgoKCgoKCgoKCgoKCgoKCgoKCgoKCgoKCgoKCgoKCgoKCgoKCj/wgARCAAGAAoDASIAAhEBAxEB/8QAFgABAQEAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAQG/8QAFAEBAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAP/aAAwDAQACEAMQAAAAuxof/8QAIBAAAgIBAwUAAAAAAAAAAAAAAQIDEQQABRIjUYGRof/aAAgBAQABPwDORZH2mObFxZYVYLK7rbu/HtVVYJ8+5t3USuExzx5GuvKPgatf/8QAGREAAQUAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAgABBBIT/9oACAECAQE/AIraBYl//8QAFxEBAAMAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAgABMf/aAAgBAwEBPwBtVk//2Q=='%3E%3C/image%3E%3C/svg%3E)
On Saturday, the New York Yankees and Kansas City Royals will meet for the first game of the long-awaited ALDS duel. Although the Yankees went 5-2 against KC this regular season, both teams are expected to put forth their best in the upcoming series.
After dealing with the Baltimore Orioles in a pair of games in the AL Wild Card Series, the Yankees will be Kansas City's second AL East adversary of the 2024 MLB postseason. Game 1 of the ALDS will begin at 6:38 from Yankee Stadium in the Bronx.
Trending
"Full @Royals vs. @Yankees #ALDS start times have been announced! #Postseason" - MLB
Royals vs Yankees recent form and records
The Royals are making their first playoff appearance since they won the World Series in 2015. 86-76 during the regular season, Kansas City held the Baltimore Orioles to just one run in two games last series. 4-6 in their final 10 games of the season, KC achieved the third AL Wild Card spot.
After a bumpy 2023, the New York refound its momentum in 2024. Led by the duo of Aaron Judge and Juan Soto, the team's 94 wins were the most in the AL this season. Having not played since their season finale against the Pittsburgh Pirates, the Yanks finished their season 5-5.
Players to Watch
Starting Pitchers
KCR: Michael Wacha (13-8, 3.35 ERA) vs NYY: Gerrit Cole (8-5, 3.41 ERA)
Wacha has a 1.194 WHIP, 2.4 BB/9 and 145 K in 166.2 IP.
Last Start: ND, 5 IP, 5 H, 3 ER, 1 BB, 2 K vs WSN
Career vs NYY: 2-1 2.97 ERA (57.2 IP, 19 ER) 7 HR in 11 games
Cole has a 1.126 WHIP, 2.7 BB/9 and 99 K in 95 IP.
Last Start: Win, 6.2 IP, 2 H, 0 ER, 1 BB, 5 K vs BAL
Career vs KCR: 4-1 2.77 ERA (52 IP, 16 ER) 6 HR in 8 games
Must-Watch Hitters
Kansas City
Shortstop Bobby Witt Jr.'s .332 batting average was the best in MLB this season. Although he only logged one RBI in his past eight games of the season, the 24-year-old managed to hit .345 with 10 hits in 29 at-bats to finish out the season.
"Bobby Witt Jr. said he’s been watching Derek Jeter postseason highlights to get a feel for what Yankee Stadium will be like this weekend. Witt says he still has Jeter’s jersey hanging in his childhood bedroom" - Talkin' Yanks
Catcher Salvador Perez is the only member of the team who played 2015 win over the New York Mets, taking World Series MVP honors back then. At 34 years old, Perez hit 27 homers and 104 RBIs this season. Moreover, the Venezuelan is a career .258 hitter with 16 homers and 49 RBIs in 68 games against the Yankees.
Outfielder Tommy Pham was claimed by the Royals off of waivers in August from the St. Louis Cardinals. Since his debut with the team, the 36-year-old Pham has hit .228/.250/.337 with 2 home runs and 8 RBIs in 23 games.
New York
Aaron Judge's success will be central to the Yankees' postseason success. The MLB leader in homers and RBIs this season, Judge brings a career .772 OPS to Saturday's game. Additionally, Judge had seven RBIs in his last five games of the 2024 MLB season.
"NO. 58! AARON JUDGE HAS HIT A HOME RUN IN 5 STRAIGHT GAMES!" - MLB
In the final two weeks of the season, Gleyber Torres hit .361 with a team-leading 13 hits. A career .348 hitter against KC, Torres boasts 11 RBIs in 12 career games against the AL Central club.
The winner of the 2016 World Series with the Chicago Cubs, Anthony Rizzo knows what it takes in October. Despite a bumpy season with regards to injuries, the first baseman has hit 9 home runs and 27 RBIs in 49 career playoff games.
Royals vs Yankees baseball betting odds
Royals vs Yankees expert picks and game prediction
Both the Yankees and the Royals overcame significant challenges in their respective rises this season. However, the nature of their success was different.
For the Yankees, the 2024 campaign was a slugfest. The club's 237 homers led MLB, and their .762 slugging percentage led the AL. Home run production was also centralized - with Aaron Judge, Juan Soto, and Giancarlo Stanton responsible for nearly 130 bombs between the three of them.
Pitching is a bigger asset for KC than for New York. Although the two teams had very similar overall ERA figures, the 3.55 figure earned by Royals starters this season was behind only the Seattle Mariners for the best in MLB.
On Saturday, veteran Michael Wacha will seek to dim the Bombers' hopes. However, given the rest that New York has had, coupled with their favorable performances against the Royals this season, the Yanks are clear favorites here.
Run Line: +1.5 -130
Total Runs: U 7.5 -105
Prediction: Yankees W, 4-1
