In a game that could be a shootout, Michael Pineda (6-10, 5.02 ERA) and the New York Yankees (67-62) are in Kansas City to square off against Dillon Gee (5-7, 4.55 ERA) and the Royals (68-62). This is the first of a three-game series at Ewing M. Kauffman Stadium. Action begins at 8:15 p.m. ET on Monday, Aug. 29 and can be seen on FSKC and YES.
Gee pitched 5.1 innings in his most recent start, surrendering three runs and striking out three in a 3-0 defeat to the Marlins. Kendrys Morales (.248, 45 Rs, 20 HRs, 58 RBIs) had another good game yesterday, going 3 for 5 with one run. Pineda went 5.1 innings, surrendering five runs, striking out six and walking two in a 7-5 defeat to the Mariners in his last outing. Carlos Beltran (.288, 58 Rs, 24 HRs, 73 RBIs) has been successful at the plate for the Yankees, going 2 for 4 yesterday with one run.
The odds for Kansas City and New York are even, while the Over/Under (O/U) is currently unavailable. It’s been a struggle for opposing teams to score runs against the Royals. The 4.1 runs that Kansas City’s pitchers allow per game makes them the second-ranked staff in the AL. The Royals are the fifth-best team in the AL at limiting hits to their opponents, allowing only 8.5 hits per game so far this season.
Offensively, the Yankees have really picked up the pace in the last 10 games. They have exceeded their season average of 4.3 runs per game by averaging 5.8 during that stretch. The Yankees allow 4.3 runs per game, but have improved upon those numbers in the past 10 games, allowing 3.2 runs per game during that span. When it comes to issuing walks, the Yankees have the fewest in the AL with only 2.5 walks allowed per game.
The Yankees lead the season series, 3-1. The Royals have a 52-46 record against right-handed starting pitchers on the year, which is what they’ll be facing when Pineda takes the mound. Gee (RHP) will be on the hill against the Yankees, who have a 50-42 record against right-handed starting pitchers.
Predictions: SU Winner – NYY
Notes
The Royals are coming into this matchup after a high-scoring game where they scored a whopping 10 runs. The Yankees have a 0-6 record when opponents score that many runs or more.
When they are outhit, the Royals are 9-42. The Yankees have a 12-51 record when opponents outhit them.
Kansas City ranks near the bottom of the league when it comes to home runs, hitting 115 this season. New York ranks in the bottom half at 20th with 146.
Ranking 11th, New York is in the top half of the league in hits, notching 8.59 per game. Kansas City ranks in the top five with 8.94.
Kansas City and New York both rank near the bottom of the league for their on-base plus slugging percentage. Kansas City sits at 26th with an OPS of .714, and New York ranks 22nd with an OPS of .724.
When the Yankees allow at least one home run, they are 39-50, well-matched with the Royals who are 42-50 when allowing at least one homer.
