Kansas City Royals at New York Yankees Player Props, Picks and Predictions - 10/7/2024 7:38 PM EST

We have your Kansas City Royals at New York Yankees prop betting and game preview needs covered as the Kansas City Royals hit the road to face the New York Yankees.

Kansas City Royals at New York Yankees Odds Info

Best Moneyline Odds: Kansas City Royals +130 (DraftKings) / New York Yankees -150 (BetRivers)
Best Spread Odds: -1.5 - Kansas City Royals -165 (bet365) / New York Yankees +150 (BetMGM)
Best Total Odds: 7.5 - Under -112 (FanDuel) / Over +100 (ESPN BET)

Game Info

Date: 10/7/2024
Time: 7:38 PM EST
Location: Yankee Stadium (Bronx, New York)
TV: TBS

Historic Head-to-Head Stats and Analysis

Over the past month, the Kansas City Royals and the New York Yankees have faced each other three times. The Yankees emerged victorious in two of these encounters, while the Royals secured one win. In terms of the spread, the Royals have consistently outperformed expectations, covering the spread in all three games, whereas the Yankees have not covered the spread in any of these matchups. The games have seen a mix of scoring outcomes, with the total score going over the set line once and staying under twice. The home team has had the upper hand, winning two out of the three games, while the visiting team claimed victory once.

The most recent game between these two teams took place on October 5, 2024, with the Yankees narrowly defeating the Royals 6-5. The game was a playoff matchup, and the Yankees were the favorites with a moneyline of -190. The Yankees managed to capitalize on their opportunities better, despite both teams recording nine hits each. The Yankees' pitching staff recorded seven strikeouts, while the Royals' pitchers struck out 11 batters. The game saw a total of 11 runs, surpassing the over-under line of 8.0, resulting in an "over" outcome. Key moments included Gleyber Torres' home run in the third inning and Alex Verdugo's decisive single in the seventh inning, which ultimately sealed the Yankees' victory.

In the previous two games, the Royals and Yankees each had a win. On September 11, 2024, the Yankees won 4-3 in a regular-season game, with the total score staying under the line. The Royals, however, managed to cover the spread. The game on September 10, 2024, saw the Royals dominate with a 5-0 victory, as the Yankees struggled offensively, recording only three hits. This game also stayed under the total score line, with the Royals covering the spread as the underdogs. Throughout these matchups, the Royals have shown resilience, consistently covering the spread, while the Yankees have leveraged their home advantage to secure wins.

Kansas City Royals at New York Yankees Preview

The Kansas City Royals and New York Yankees are set to clash in Game 2 of the American League Division Series, with the Yankees holding a 1-0 lead after a thrilling 6-5 victory in the series opener. The Yankees, who finished the regular season with a 94-68 record, are looking to capitalize on their home-field advantage at Yankee Stadium, where they have been formidable with a 44-37 record. Meanwhile, the Royals, who turned their fortunes around this season to finish 86-76, are eager to even the series and continue their impressive postseason run.

In Game 1, the Yankees showcased their resilience, overcoming a shaky start from ace Gerrit Cole and a challenging night for star Aaron Judge, who went 0-for-4 with three strikeouts. Despite these struggles, the Yankees' bullpen, led by Luke Weaver's electrifying performance, held the Royals scoreless in the final innings. Alex Verdugo emerged as the hero, delivering a crucial go-ahead RBI single in the seventh inning, while also making a pivotal defensive play earlier in the game.

The Royals, on the other hand, will be looking to tighten up their pitching after issuing eight walks in the opener, which proved costly. Michael Wacha, who had been a reliable starter throughout the season, was pulled early, leading to bullpen struggles that the Yankees capitalized on. Offensively, the Royals will aim to provide more support for their pitchers, with key players like Bobby Witt Jr. and Salvador Perez needing to step up after a quiet Game 1.

As the series continues, the pitching matchup for Game 2 features the Yankees' Carlos Rodón, who posted a 16-9 record with a 3.96 ERA during the regular season, against the Royals' Cole Ragans, who impressed with an 11-9 record and a 3.14 ERA. Both teams will be looking to their starters to set the tone early, with the Yankees hoping to maintain their momentum and the Royals seeking to bounce back and level the series.

With both teams possessing potent lineups and capable pitching staffs, Game 2 promises to be another closely contested battle. The Yankees will rely on their home-field advantage and the depth of their roster, while the Royals will look to harness the resilience that has defined their season. As the tension builds, fans can expect another exciting chapter in this storied postseason rivalry.

Kansas City Royals at New York Yankees Pick: Total Runs Over

As the Kansas City Royals and New York Yankees prepare for Game 2 of the ALDS, the expectation is for another high-scoring affair, making the 'over' on total runs a compelling pick. The series opener was a thrilling 6-5 victory for the Yankees, with both teams showcasing their offensive capabilities. The game featured five lead changes, a testament to the dynamic and unpredictable nature of both lineups. The Yankees, despite a lackluster performance from star Aaron Judge, managed to score six runs, capitalizing on the Royals' pitching struggles, which included issuing eight walks. This trend of offensive productivity is likely to continue in Game 2.

Both teams have potent lineups capable of exploiting any pitching weaknesses. The Yankees' Juan Soto had a standout performance in Game 1, going 3-for-5 and contributing significantly to the team's offensive output. Meanwhile, the Royals have shown resilience and the ability to score, as evidenced by their ability to take the lead multiple times in the opener. With key players like Bobby Witt Jr. and Salvador Perez looking to bounce back from quiet performances, the Royals are poised to put more pressure on the Yankees' pitching staff.

The pitching matchup for Game 2 features Carlos Rodón for the Yankees and Cole Ragans for the Royals. While both pitchers have had strong regular seasons, the postseason atmosphere and the offensive firepower of both teams suggest that runs will be scored. Rodón, despite his solid record, will face a Royals lineup eager to even the series, while Ragans will have to contend with a Yankees team that has been formidable at home. Given the offensive depth and the stakes of the postseason, expect both teams to continue their aggressive approach at the plate.

Considering the offensive performances in Game 1 and the potential for both lineups to capitalize on any pitching lapses, the 'over' on total runs is a strong pick for Game 2. Fans can anticipate another exciting and high-scoring contest as these two teams battle for a crucial win in the series.

Kansas City Royals at New York Yankees Top Player Prop Picks

Aaron Judge Under 1.5 Hits Runs RBIs -110 (DraftKings)

Aaron Judge, despite being one of the most formidable hitters in the league, struggled significantly in Game 1 of the ALDS against the Royals. He went 0-for-4 with three strikeouts, a performance that highlights his postseason inconsistency. Historically, Judge's batting numbers have dipped during the playoffs, and with the pressure of the postseason mounting, it seems prudent to expect another challenging outing for him. The Royals' pitching staff, despite their Game 1 struggles, will likely focus on containing Judge, making the under on this prop a compelling choice.

Cole Ragans Over 5.5 Strikeouts -135 (BetMGM)

Cole Ragans has been a standout performer for the Royals this season, earning his first All-Star nod with an impressive 223 strikeouts over 186 1/3 innings. In his previous postseason start against the Orioles, Ragans delivered a strong performance, showcasing his ability to handle high-pressure situations. The Yankees' lineup, while potent, has shown vulnerabilities, particularly with Judge's struggles and the team's reliance on key players like Juan Soto. Ragans' ability to rack up strikeouts makes the over on this prop a strong pick, especially given his recent form and the Yankees' potential for strikeouts.

Alex Verdugo Over 0.5 Hits -135 (bet365)

Alex Verdugo emerged as a key player for the Yankees in Game 1, delivering the game-winning RBI single in the seventh inning. His performance was a testament to his resilience and ability to step up in crucial moments, despite a challenging regular season. Verdugo's confidence will be high heading into Game 2, and with the Yankees' home-field advantage, he is well-positioned to continue his offensive contributions. Given his recent form and the pivotal role he played in the series opener, betting on Verdugo to record at least one hit seems a solid choice.