Kansas City Royals vs
New York YankeesPredictions & Preview

Yankees Favored to Defeat Royals in Game 1 of AL Divisional Series with Strong Pitching and Offense

The Kansas City Royals will face off against the New York Yankees in Game 1 of the American League Divisional Series on Saturday, Oct. 5. The Royals, seeded No. 5, defeated the Orioles twice in the Wild Card round to advance, with strong pitching performances allowing just one run. The Yankees, seeded No. 1 with the best record in the league, have had seven days off since their last game. The first pitch for Game 1 is at 6:38 P.M. EST, with Michael Wacha starting for the Royals and Gerrit Cole starting for the Yankees. New York is the betting favorite, opening at -186 and currently at New York -200.

Betting Odds

• Moneyline: Royals +174 | Yankees -200
• Spread: Royals +1.5 (-127) | Yankees -1.5 (+108)
• Total: Over/Under 7.5 (-110)
• Based on the moneyline, the implied probability that New York will win straight-up is 67%.

Kansas City vs New York Stats

Kansas City Royals

Kansas City enters Game 1 of the American League Divisional series after a strong performance in the first round of the playoffs, defeating the Orioles twice in Baltimore. The Royals won Game 1 by a score of 1-0 and swept the No. 1 Wild Card seed with a 2-1 victory in Game 2. Shortstop Bobby Witt Jr. played a key role in both wins, delivering crucial RBIs for the team. Despite hitting just .219 against the Orioles in the Wild Card round, the Royals relied on strong pitching to secure their victories, allowing just one run in 18 innings. Michael Wacha will start Game 1 for the Royals, boasting a 13-8 record this season with an ERA of 3.35. The team has found success on the road with Wacha on the mound, winning six of his last seven starts away from home. During the regular season, the Royals ranked 10th in batting average at .248, with notable success in triples and fewest strikeouts. In terms of power ranking, Kansas City sits at 18, excelling in offense and defense, with a 88-76 record for the season.

New York Yankees Analysis

The New York Yankees enter the American League Divisional series as the No. 1 seed with a 94-68 record, finishing with a 1.5 game lead over the Guardians. Despite a lack of recent game play, the Yankees will face the Royals with confidence after going 5-2 against them during the regular season. Manager Aaron Boone is optimistic about the bullpen and supporting cast, emphasizing the importance of each player doing their job. Ace Gerrit Cole will start Game 1, boasting a strong second-half performance. Unfortunately, first baseman Anthony Rizzo will miss the series due to a finger injury. The Yankees have a solid offensive performance throughout the season, hitting the most home runs and ranking ninth in batting average. Overall, while facing a competitive opponent in the Royals, the Yankees are prepared to bring their best to the series.

Yankees Favored to Secure Victory with Gerrit Cole on the Mound

The upcoming extended break is likely to benefit the Yankees, particularly with Gerrit Cole on the mound. Cole has historically performed well against the Royals, boasting a career record of 4-1 with an impressive 2.77 ERA. Furthermore, his performance in the second half of the season has been solid with a 2.76 ERA since the All-Star break. In contrast, Michael Wacha of the Royals has a 3.78 ERA in road games. The Royals struggled offensively against the Orioles in the Wild Card round, due to Baltimore's strong pitching limiting their scoring opportunities. With the Yankees' strong offense and historical success against both the Royals and Orioles, it is expected that they will be able to secure a victory on Saturday. Based on these factors, it is recommended to place a wager on the Yankees to cover the spread.

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