The New York Yankees and Kansas City Royals will face off in Kansas City on Wednesday night, with their American League Division Series tied at one game each. The Yankees won the first game 6-5 on Saturday, but the Royals bounced back with a 4-2 victory on Monday. The upcoming game features Yankees’ right-hander Clarke Schmidt (5-5, 2.85) against the Royals’ Seth Lugo (16-9, 3.00). First pitch is set for 7:08 pm EST.
Series Preview: Yankees vs. Royals
Yankees Pin Hopes on Schmidt
The New York Yankees struggled with their offense during Monday’s game, missing a chance to take a commanding 2-0 lead in the series with a 4-2 loss to the Royals at Yankee Stadium. Starting pitcher Carlos Rodon began strong but faltered, giving up seven hits and four runs in just 3.2 innings. The Yankees managed only one run until Jazz Chisholm hit a home run in the ninth inning. Aaron Judge, a key player for the Yankees, continued to face challenges, finishing the game 1-for-3 and now sits at 1-for-7 in the series with four strikeouts.
“They were making their pitches when they needed to,” Judge said. “We’ve got to come through in those situations to kind of break it open.”
With the series tied, the Yankees will turn to Clarke Schmidt for the critical game three. Schmidt, who returned to the rotation after a stint on the injured list, concluded the regular season with a 5-5 record and a 2.85 ERA. He has performed better away from home, boasting a 1.39 ERA in eight road starts. Schmidt has not faced the Royals this season, making this matchup particularly intriguing.
Injuries affecting the Yankees include starting pitcher Nestor Cortes, first baseman Anthony Rizzo, third baseman DJ LeMahieu, and pitcher JT Brubaker.
Royals Depend on All-Star Lugo
The Kansas City Royals found their momentum in game two, with veteran catcher Sal Perez hitting a leadoff home run in the fourth inning. The Royals scored three additional runs in that inning, knocking Rodon out of the game and securing a 4-2 victory. Starting pitcher Cole Ragans battled control issues but managed to keep the game competitive, while the bullpen stepped up to finish strong. With their first playoff game at Kauffman Stadium since 2015, the Royals expect an enthusiastic home crowd.
“It’s basically like a brand-new series when we get to the K,” Ragans noted, referring to Kauffman Stadium.
Now back at home, the Royals will hand the ball to All-Star righty Seth Lugo in game three. Acquired from San Diego in the offseason, Lugo has been a vital addition, finishing the regular season with a 16-9 record and a 3.00 ERA. In his previous two encounters with the Yankees this season, Lugo went 1-1, allowing 11 hits over 14 innings while striking out 14 batters. He has the potential to make a significant impact on the series.
Injuries affecting the Royals include relief pitchers Will Smith, Josh Taylor, and Christ Stratton.
Betting Insights: Yankees vs. Royals
As the Royals return to Kauffman Stadium, where they had a solid home record of 45-36 during the regular season, they will look to capitalize on their home-field advantage. Bobby Witt Jr., one of their standout players, boasted an impressive batting average of nearly .400 at home in the second half of the season, though he struggled in New York, going 0-for-10 with five strikeouts.
While Schmidt has demonstrated effectiveness in his road outings, he tends to exit games early, which could put pressure on the Yankees’ bullpen. Conversely, Lugo’s ability to limit walks—having allowed only one walk in two starts against the Yankees—could challenge a Yankees lineup known for drawing free passes. Additionally, Lugo has proven capable of keeping the ball in the park, which bodes well for the Royals, who will aim to support their starter with offensive production in this pivotal game.
Overall, the matchup between the Yankees and Royals promises to be intense, as both teams look to gain an upper hand in the series.
