First Pitch: 7:10 PM CT
Venue: Kauffman Stadium — Kansas City, Missouri
Probable Pitchers: RHP Evan Schittler (NYY) vs. RHP Cole Faiter (KC)
Venue Profile — Kauffman Stadium
- Location: Kansas City, MO
- Dimensions: LF 330 ft, CF 410 ft, RF 330 ft
- Park Factor: One of MLB’s most spacious outfields, suppressing HRs but boosting doubles/triples.
- Surface: Kentucky bluegrass
- Notes:
- Deep alleys favor gap hitters and speed.
- Pitchers who induce fly balls often benefit from the park’s size.
Weather Forecast
- Temperature: 73–76°F at first pitch
- Wind: 10–13 mph blowing in from left-center
- Humidity: 55%
- Precipitation: <10%
- Impact:
- Home run suppression due to wind blowing in.
- Advantage to pitchers who keep the ball in the air.
- Run environment leans under unless bullpens implode.
Injury Report
New York Yankees
- Giancarlo Stanton — 10‑day IL (hamstring)
- Anthony Rizzo — Day-to-day (back)
- Gleyber Torres — Day-to-day (ankle)
- Jonathan Loáisiga — 60‑day IL (elbow)
Kansas City Royals
- Vinnie Pasquantino — 10‑day IL (wrist)
- MJ Melendez — Day-to-day (shoulder)
- Brady Singer — 15‑day IL (forearm)
- Scott Barlow — 60‑day IL (elbow)
Team Records & Recent Form
New York Yankees (32–22)
- Last 10: 6–4
- Road Record: 15–12
- Run Differential: +41
- Trend: Pitching staff carrying the load; offense inconsistent but explosive when Judge and Soto get rolling.
Kansas City Royals (22–32)
- Last 10: 3–7
- Home Record: 12–15
- Run Differential: –37
- Trend: Offense struggling; pitching depth thin; bullpen unreliable late.
Pitching Matchup Breakdown
NYY — RHP Evan Schittler
- 2026 Stats: 3.54 ERA | 1.18 WHIP | 9.2 K/9
- Profile:
- Four-seam fastball with strong vertical ride.
- Slider is his out pitch; generates 32% whiff rate.
- Fly-ball pitcher — perfect fit for Kauffman Stadium’s deep outfield.
- Matchup Notes:
- Royals lack consistent power threats outside Witt Jr.
- Wind blowing in further enhances his profile.
KC — RHP Cole Faiter
- 2026 Stats: 4.66 ERA | 1.34 WHIP | 7.4 K/9
- Profile:
- Sinker/curveball righty with average command.
- Struggles vs. elite power bats and patient lineups.
- Vulnerable early in games; settles in after first time through order.
- Matchup Notes:
- Yankees’ left-handed bats (Soto, Verdugo) match up extremely well.
- Faiter’s sinker tends to leak over the plate vs. LHB.
Key Player Matchups
Yankees Hitters vs. Faiter
- Juan Soto: Massive edge; Faiter’s sinker moves into his barrel path.
- Aaron Judge: Even with wind in, Judge’s exit velocity can overcome park conditions.
- Alex Verdugo: High-contact LHB who thrives vs. sinkerballers.
Royals Hitters vs. Schittler
- Bobby Witt Jr.: KC’s best chance for extra-base damage; elite vs. high-velo.
- Salvador Perez: Still dangerous vs. RHP but declining vs. high-spin sliders.
- Maikel Garcia: Contact bat but limited power in this matchup.
Series History
- 2025 Season: Yankees won 5–2.
- 2026 Season (so far): First meeting of the year.
- At Kauffman Stadium (last 3 years): Yankees 10–4.
- Trend: New York consistently handles KC’s pitching staff.
Betting Trends
New York Yankees
- 7–3 in last 10 road games
- Under is 8–3 in last 11 games
- Yankees 9–4 in last 13 Schittler starts
Kansas City Royals
- 2–6 in last 8 home games
- Under is 6–2 in last 8 at home
- Royals 1–7 in last 8 vs. teams above .500
Head-to-Head
- Yankees 12–3 in last 15 meetings
- Under is 5–1 in last 6 at Kauffman Stadium
Game Odds
New York Yankees – 205
Kansas City Royals 8.5
Odds Courtesy of Sports Odds Direct as of Monday, May 25, 2026
