Ian Kennedy (4-2, 2.13 ERA) gets the ball for the Kansas City Royals (16-17) as they meet Nathan Eovaldi (2-2, 4.78 ERA) and the New York Yankees (13-19) in the last of a four-game series at Yankee Stadium. The Royals won the last game 7-3, and New York leads the series 2-1. The game starts at 7:05 p.m. ET on Thursday, May. 12 and will air on FSKC and YES.
In his most recent outing, Eovaldi pitched 8.0 innings, allowing two runs and striking out six in an 8-2 victory over the Red Sox. Carlos Beltran (.261, 16 Rs, 7 HRs, 15 RBIs) played well again yesterday, going 2 for 4 with one run, one home run, and one RBI. The Royals were victorious over the Indians 7-0 the last time Kennedy pitched. He went 7.0 innings, giving up zero runs, striking out six and walking two. Eric Hosmer (.328, 17 Rs, 6 HRs, 16 RBIs, 3 SBs) has been hitting the ball well for the Royals, going 2 for 5 yesterday with one run.
Oddsmakers have deemed this game an even matchup and the Over/Under (O/U) is presently unavailable. The most recent 10-game stretch for the Yankees has gone great. Over that span, New York is averaging 0.0 runs per game, well over their season average of 0.0. The Yankees are a nightmare on the bases for opponents with 23 steals, one of the highest totals in baseball. New York’s pitching staff has put it all together in the past 10 games. Its average runs allowed per game dropped to 0.0 during that span, compared to its 0.0 season average. The Yankees don’t give up many walks to opposing batters, ranking second in the AL with only 2.3 walks allowed per game.
During the last 10 games, they averaged 0.0 runs per game, above their 0.0 season average. Kansas City is a terror on the base paths, ranking third in the MLB with 24 stolen bases. The last 10 games have really brought the best out of the Kansas City pitchers. They’ve allowed 0.0 runs per game during that span, which is lower than their season average of 0.0. They also have some of the most overpowering arms in the AL with an average of 6.6 strikeouts per road game.
The Yankees are 2-1 against the Royals this season.
Predictions: SU Winner – NYY
Notes
After a weak showing last week where they got in seven hits, the Yankees need to step it up. The Royals have a record of 12-5 when opponents get seven hits or less.
When they are outhit, the Yankees are 2-16. The Royals have a 3-10 record when opponents outhit them.
Tied at 21st for total home runs, New York and Kansas City have each hit 31 homers this season.
Ranking 24th, New York is near the bottom of the league in hits, notching 7.81 per game. Kansas City ranks in the top half at 13th with 8.55.
New York and Kansas City both rank near the bottom of the league for their on-base plus slugging percentage. New York sits at 25th with an OPS of .682, and Kansas City ranks 22nd with an OPS of .699.
The Royals are 9-12 in games where they allow one or more home runs. The Yankees are 8-14 when they allow at least one homer.
