MLB Game Preview: Kansas City Royals (7-14) vs. New York Yankees (12-9)

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New York Yankees logo

First Pitch: 10:35 AM PT / 1:35 PM ET

Venue: Yankee Stadium — Bronx, New York Gametime Weather: 48°F, cool with light wind

Injury Report

Kansas City Royals

Bailey Falter — 15‑Day IL (Apr 20)

Stephen Kolek — 15‑Day IL (Apr 28)

Carlos Estévez — 15‑Day IL (Apr 28)

James McArthur — 15‑Day IL (May 1)

Tyson Guerrero — 60‑Day IL (Jun 1)

New York Yankees

Rafael Montero — OUT (Apr 19)

Anthony Volpe — 10‑Day IL (May 1)

Carlos Rodón — 15‑Day IL (May 2)

Gerrit Cole — 15‑Day IL (May 7)

Travis MacGregor — 60‑Day IL (Jun 1)

Team Records & Statistical Profile

Kansas City Royals (7–14)

Team AVG: .219

Runs: 71

Hits: 147

HR: 17

OBP: .298

SLG: .342

ERA: 4.47

WHIP: 1.36

Road Record: 2–9

New York Yankees (12–9)

Team AVG: .218

Runs: 103

Hits: 148

HR: 29

OBP: .319

SLG: .403

ERA: 3.57

WHIP: 1.18

Home Record: 7–5

Recent Team Form

Royals — Last 5

L 13–4 @ NYY

L 4–2 @ NYY

L 10–9 @ DET

L 2–1 @ DET

L 2–1 @ DET Streak: L6

Yankees — Last 5

W 13–4 vs KC

W 4–2 vs KC

L 11–4 vs LAA

W 5–4 vs LAA

L 7–1 vs LAA Streak: W2

Probable Pitching Matchup

KC — Cole Ragans (LHP)

Record: 0–3

ERA: 3.78

WHIP: 1.38

IP: 16.2

K/BB: 16 / 10

HR Allowed: 3

NYY — Ryan Weathers (LHP)

Record: 0–2

ERA: 4.29

WHIP: 1.38

IP: 21.0

K/BB: 28 / 7

HR Allowed: 4

Matchup Predictor: Yankees 55.4% vs Royals 44.6%

Key Player Matchups

Kansas City Royals

Carter Jensen: 5 HR, 12 RBI

Bobby Witt Jr.: .266 AVG, 8 SB

Vinnie Pasquantino: 10 RBI

New York Yankees

Aaron Judge: 8 HR, 14 RBI

Ben Rice: .339 AVG, 7 HR, 17 RBI

Jac Caglianone: .270 AVG

Series History & Context

Yankees lead the series 2–0, winning 4–2 and 13–4.

Royals are on a 7‑game road losing streak.

Yankees have covered the run line in 4 of the last 5 vs KC.

Betting Trends

Royals bullpen: 6.08 ERA, bottom‑five xFIP (4.67) and SIERA (4.25).

Ragans: high walk rate (nearly 15%).

Yankees lineup producing: 17 runs in this series already.

Weather: cold but offense‑friendly matchup due to pitching volatility.

Game Odds

Kansas City Royals           8

New York Yankees           – 149

Odds Courtesy of Sports Odds Direct as of Saturday, April 18, 2026