The New York Yankees will face the Kansas City Royals at Ewing M. Kauffman Stadium. This AL matchup will begin at 2:15 p.m. ET and fans hoping to watch it can tune in to Fox Sports Kansas City.
New York Yankees vs. Kansas City Royals Odds
Oddsmakers have listed Kansas City (+165) as the underdog to New York (-175). Bettors are able to wager on the game’s total with odds posted at -120 for over 9 runs and even money (+100) for under 9. You can also wager on the game’s spread with the current runline odds sitting at -120 for the Yankees -1.5 runs and +100 for the Royals +1.5.
The Royals are just 14-31 SU and 20-24 ATS. The team’s lost 12.3 units for moneyline bettors and 8.0 units against the spread (ATS). Kansas City has covered the spread four times in its last seven games and the total has gone under in four of those seven. The Yankees are 29-13 SU and have gone 22-19 ATS. Overall, the team’s gained 7.8 units for moneyline bettors over the early part of the year and 2.5 units ATS. New York has covered the spread only twice over its last seven games and the under has cashed in four of those seven.
Royals games have an over/under record of 17-25-2 so far in 2018. New York has been a decent over bet with a total record of 23-17-1.
The right-handed Sonny Gray will get the nod for the visiting Yankees. Gray is 2-3 with a 6.39 ERA and 32 strikeouts. He has yet to face the Royals this year and did not record a start against them in 2017, either.
The Royals will be sending lefty Eric Skoglund (1-3, 5.58 ERA) to the hill. Skoglund has 32 strikeouts and 10 walks to his name, as well as a WHIP of 1.24. Skoglund did not record a start against the Yankees in 2017.
New York’s pitching staff allowed 4.1 runs per game and its starters own a 3.77 ERA, 1.21 WHIP and 8.61 K/9. The bullpen has an ERA of 3.45, along with a K-per-9 of 12.62.
The Yankees offense has slashed .254/.343/.450 on its way to 5.7 runs scored per game in 2018, including 5.6 runs per game over the team’s last 10 games and 5.6 per game over the team’s last five outings (3-2 SU).
New York’s offense has been led by Aaron Judge and Giancarlo Stanton, who collectively have blasted 22 home runs. Judge is slashing .289/.421/.560 with 11 home runs, 35 RBIs and 33 runs scored, while Stanton is hitting .259 with 11 homers, 27 RBIs and 31 runs scored.
Judge did not do as well hitting against left-handed pitching on the road in 2017. Across 77 such plate appearances, he put up a slash line of .175/.390/.456 (compared to his overall season line of .284/.422/.627).
In the home-team dugout, Kansas City’s pitching staff has allowed 5.7 runs per game overall in 2018. The club’s starters have a 5.49 ERA, 1.43 WHIP and 7.2 strikeouts per nine innings. The bullpen has a 5.38 ERA, 1.53 WHIP and 6.5 K/9.
The Kansas City hitters have produced 4.0 runs per outing, including 4.0 per game over its last 10 games and 3.4 per game over their last five. The team has slashed .248/.320/.366 over its last five contests and is 1-4 SU during that stretch.
Right fielder Jorge Soler and third baseman Mike Moustakas have led the Royals’ batters this year. Soler is slashing .303/.405/.497 with five home runs, 20 RBIs and 20 runs scored, while Moustakas has put up a line of .295/.335/.534 with 10 homers, 31 RBIs and 27 runs.
Compared to his total season slash line of .144/.245/.258, Soler performed well at home last season, slashing .213/.302/.404 over 53 plate appearances.
The Yankees have gained 4.5 units and are 7-6 ATS when facing a lefty starter this season. The over has hit in five of those games, compared to eight that’ve gone under in such games. On the other hand, the Royals have lost 15.1 units and are 9-17 ATS when facing a right-handed starting pitcher. The over’s hit in 10 of those games, compared to 14 that’ve cashed the under.
New York Yankees vs. Kansas City Royals Free MLB Pick
Predictions: SU Winner – Yankees, ATS Winner – Yankees, O/U – OVER
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Notes
Betting Notes
The Yankees have won three of their last four games SU.
Kansas City has recorded 22.0 Runs + Hits + Errors per game over its last 10 outings and 19.4 over its last five.
The Yankees have hit 15 home runs in their last 10 games, including 11 over their last five.
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