The American League and National League Division Series are set to begin this weekend, bringing excitement to baseball fans. Among the most captivating matchups is the clash between the Kansas City Royals and the New York Yankees, two teams with a storied rivalry. Their previous encounters include four American League Championship Series from 1976 to 1980. Now, decades later, they are ready to face off again. The opening game will feature Royals pitcher Michael Wacha (13-8, 3.35 ERA) against Yankees ace Gerrit Cole (8-5, 3.41 ERA). Fans can look forward to the first pitch at 6:38 PM EST.
Royals Turn to Experienced Wacha
The Kansas City Royals experienced a challenging 2023 season, finishing with 106 losses. However, they entered 2024 with renewed optimism after making strategic offseason acquisitions, including bolstering their pitching staff. The emergence of shortstop Bobby Witt Jr. as a superstar has been a significant factor in their success. The Royals bounced back to win 86 games, with standout performances from free-agent pitchers Seth Lugo and Michael Wacha. Witt Jr. took home the AL Batting title, solidifying his position as one of the league’s elite shortstops. In a remarkable wildcard round, the Royals swept the Orioles, allowing only one run, with Witt Jr. delivering a game-winning RBI in both matches. Now, they are geared up to take on the formidable New York Yankees in a best-of-five series.
“This group is special,” Witt stated, “and we’re not done yet.”
The Royals triumphed in Baltimore by utilizing their top pitchers, Lugo and Cole Ragans. For Game 1 against the Yankees, they will hand the ball to Michael Wacha, a seasoned playoff veteran. Wacha has extensive experience at Yankee Stadium, even though he did not face the Yankees this season. Over his 29 starts this year, he recorded a 13-8 record with 14 quality starts and a 3.35 ERA. On the road, Wacha boasted a solid 3.78 ERA while allowing 79 hits across 85.2 innings and striking out 77 batters. His recent form has been impressive, as he finished the regular season with a 2.60 ERA over his last month of play.
Yankees Rely on Cole’s Expertise
The New York Yankees are eager to return to the field after a week-long wait for the wildcard round to conclude. The team finished the regular season with 94 wins, capturing their second AL East Division Title in three years. Featuring a powerful lineup with Aaron Judge and Juan Soto, the Yankees boast a diverse pitching staff ready for the postseason. However, they will be missing first baseman Anthony Rizzo, who sustained a hand injury and will not participate in at least the ALDS. The Yankees are likely to activate Ben Rice, who may share playing time with Oswaldo Cabrera. Throughout the regular season, the Yankees held an edge in their series against the Royals, winning five out of seven games.
“I believe any team currently in the tournament has a genuine shot at the trophy,” said Yankees GM Brian Cashman. “We have the pieces and the determination to succeed, and now we face a worthy opponent.”
After a six-day hiatus, the Yankees are ready to resume their playoff campaign. Gerrit Cole, last year’s AL Cy Young Award winner, will take the mound first for New York. Cole ended the season with an 8-5 record over 17 starts, having missed significant time earlier in the year due to a shoulder injury. His current ERA stands at 3.41, with 99 strikeouts across 95 innings. While his velocity has dipped slightly, he has effectively made adjustments. At home, he posted a 3-2 record with a 4.31 ERA in nine starts. Although he hasn’t faced the Royals this season, Cole closed the regular season strong, going 3-2 with a 2.53 ERA in his final month.
Key Injuries: The Yankees will be without Anthony Rizzo for at least this playoff round.
Betting Insights for Royals vs. Yankees
The Royals enter the series opener with several advantages. Having enjoyed two days of rest thanks to their sweep, they are well-prepared for the challenges ahead. In contrast, the Yankees have not played in nearly a week by the time of Saturday’s first pitch. Starting pitcher Wacha brings valuable playoff experience and has been effective lately, finishing the season with a 2.62 ERA. He has also historically performed well against Yankees slugger Aaron Judge, who has struggled against him, hitting just 1-for-18 without a home run. Expect Wacha to utilize offspeed pitches strategically against Judge.
The absence of Rizzo will impact the Yankees, particularly given the dimensions of Yankee Stadium, with its short right field. Although Rizzo is no longer at his peak, his playoff experience was vital for the Yankees’ lineup. On the other hand, the Royals’ key players, Witt Jr. and Salvador Perez, have excelled against the Yankees this season, with Witt posting a .367 batting average and Perez hitting .429.
While the Yankees may appear to have a stronger bullpen, they are still finalizing roles as the playoffs approach. The Royals bullpen has shown significant improvement, recording 7.2 scoreless innings in the wildcard round and boasting a 1.73 ERA over their past 90 innings. Closer Lucas Erceg was particularly effective in the wildcard round. Many predict the Royals could secure another narrow victory, placing pressure on the Yankees as the series progresses.
