The Kansas City Royals are facing a challenging stretch as they prepare to visit Yankee Stadium on Monday for a three-game series against the New York Yankees. After enduring a seven-game losing streak, the Royals have managed to reclaim second place in the AL Central Division. Meanwhile, the Yankees are in a tight race with the Baltimore Orioles for the top position in the AL East, which comes with the valuable first-round bye in the AL Playoffs. The opening game of the series will feature Royals’ right-handed pitcher Brady Singer (9-10, 3.35) squaring off against Yankees’ lefty Carlos Rodon (14-9, 4.19). Fans can expect the first pitch at 7:05 pm EST.
Royals Seek Redemption with Singer on the Mound
The Kansas City Royals recently faced a tough period, dropping seven consecutive games. This slump put them in jeopardy of losing their grip on a wildcard spot in the American League. However, the Royals appear to have bounced back, clinching a win against the Guardians and winning two out of three against the Minnesota Twins. Their latest victory was a 2-0 shutout, thanks to a stellar performance from starter Michael Wacha, marking their fourth consecutive win.
Entering New York, the Royals are feeling positive after overcoming their recent struggles. They will rely on Brady Singer to set the tone for the series against the Yankees. With a record of 9-10 over 28 starts, Singer has managed to deliver 12 quality starts this season. His ERA stands at 3.35, with a WHIP of 1.24, as he has allowed 153 hits over 158.1 innings pitched, including 16 home runs. In his last outing, a 7-1 setback against the Guardians, he pitched 5.2 innings, allowing five hits and two runs while striking out three.
Royals – Key Injuries: RP Josh Taylor, SP Michael Lorenzen, RP Will Smith, and 1B Vinnie Pasquantino are sidelined.
Yankees Turn to Rodon for Home Advantage
The New York Yankees enter the final weeks of the season neck and neck with the Baltimore Orioles for the AL East crown. The stakes are high, as the division winner will not only claim the title but also secure a top seed in the AL Playoffs, potentially earning a first-round bye. Fresh off a three-game series against the Chicago Cubs at Wrigley Field, the Yankees showcased dominant pitching in their first two games, achieving shutouts with scores of 2-0 and 3-0, before narrowly losing the finale 2-1.
For the series opener against the Royals, the Yankees will give the ball to left-handed pitcher Carlos Rodon. Rodon boasts a record of 14-9 this season, also over 28 starts, with 14 of those being quality outings. He has given up 137 hits in 152.1 innings, allowing 26 home runs. Rodon has tallied 172 strikeouts against 49 walks. In his last performance, he faced the Texas Rangers, allowing just one hit and one run while striking out 11 batters in six innings, despite the Yankees falling 7-4.
Yankees – Key Injuries: RF Oscar Gonzalez, RP Chase Hampton, SP Clark Schmidt, RP Ian Hamilton, and 3B Jon Berti are out.
Predictions for Royals vs. Yankees Showdown
The matchup between these two teams presents an interesting scenario for bettors. While Carlos Rodon has shown inconsistency throughout the season, his recent performance against the Rangers indicates that he may be finding his rhythm. In contrast, Brady Singer’s last five starts have not gone well for the Royals, as they have lost four of those games. Earlier this season, the Yankees claimed three out of four games against Kansas City, and their home record of 37-31 further strengthens their position. The Royals, on the other hand, have struggled on the road, sitting below .500 away from home.
