First Pitch: 7:40 PM CT
Venue: Kauffman Stadium, Kansas City, Missouri
Surface: Natural Grass
Probable Pitchers:
- NYY — Will Warren (RHP)
- KC — Michael Wacha (RHP)
Weather Outlook (Kansas City, MO)
- Temperature: 76–79°F at first pitch
- Wind: 12–15 mph blowing out to left‑center
- Humidity: ~62%
- Precipitation: <10% — minimal delay risk
- Ballpark Impact: Hitter‑friendly, especially for RH power; warm air + outbound breeze boosts carry
Injury Report
New York Yankees
- Aaron Judge — Probable (minor hip tightness; expected to play)
- Giancarlo Stanton — OUT (hamstring)
- Anthony Rizzo — OUT (back)
- Gerrit Cole — OUT (elbow recovery)
- Jonathan Loáisiga — OUT (UCL)
Kansas City Royals
- Bobby Witt Jr. — Probable (ankle soreness; expected in lineup)
- Vinnie Pasquantino — OUT (shoulder)
- MJ Melendez — Day‑to‑day (quad tightness)
- Brady Singer — OUT (forearm)
- Chris Stratton — OUT (elbow)
Team Records & Recent Form
New York Yankees (31–22)
- Last 10: 6–4
- Road Record: 15–12
- Run Differential: +34
- Trend: Pitching stabilizing; offense inconsistent but explosive when Judge/Volpe produce
- Key Note: Yankees have scored 5+ runs in 7 of last 10 wins
Kansas City Royals (22–31)
- Last 10: 3–7
- Home Record: 12–14
- Run Differential: -41
- Trend: Pitching regressing; offense overly reliant on Witt Jr.
- Key Note: Royals have allowed 6+ runs in 5 of last 7 losses
Pitching Matchup Breakdown
NYY — Will Warren (RHP)
- 2026 Stats:
- ERA: ~3.88
- WHIP: 1.26
- K/9: 8.9
- HR/9: 1.0
- Profile: Sinker/slider righty with improving command
- Strengths: Generates ground balls; effective vs. RH hitters
- Weaknesses: Vulnerable to LHB with lift; occasional early‑inning command issues
- Matchup Fit: Royals’ LHB (Frazier, Pasquantino replacement bats) have limited power → favorable
KC — Michael Wacha (RHP)
- 2026 Stats:
- ERA: ~4.52
- WHIP: 1.33
- K/9: 7.8
- HR/9: 1.3
- Profile: Changeup‑first veteran; relies on sequencing
- Strengths: Effective vs. aggressive hitters
- Weaknesses: Struggles vs. patient lineups; HR‑prone in warm weather
- Matchup Fit: Yankees’ patient approach (Judge, Soto, Volpe) is a bad matchup for Wacha
Key Player Matchups
Yankees Hitters vs. Wacha
- Aaron Judge: .310 career vs. changeup‑heavy RHP; wind boosts HR probability
- Juan Soto: Elite plate discipline; Wacha struggles vs. LHB with patience
- Anthony Volpe: Hot May (.295 last 15 games); strong matchup vs. Wacha’s fastball
Royals Hitters vs. Warren
- Bobby Witt Jr.: KC’s best weapon; speed + lift vs. sinker/slider
- Salvador Perez: Power threat but declining vs. high‑spin sliders
- Nelson Velázquez: Pull‑side power fits wind conditions
Series History
- 2024–2026 Combined: Yankees lead 12–6
- At Kauffman Stadium: Yankees have won 5 of last 7
- Scoring Trend: 4 of last 6 meetings have gone OVER
Betting Trends
New York Yankees
- 5–1 last 6 as a road favorite
- OVER 6–2 last 8 games
- Warren: Yankees are 6–3 in his starts
Kansas City Royals
- 2–7 last 9 overall
- OVER 7–3 last 10 home games
- Wacha: Royals are 3–6 in his starts
Head‑to‑Head
- Yankees 4–1 last 5
- OVER 5–2 last 7 in Kansas City
Game Odds
New York Yankees – 149
Kansas City Royals 9
Odds Courtesy of Sports Odds Direct as of Sunday, May 24, 2026
