Yankees series preview: The Bronx Bombers are living up to their name
The Yankees will be a good test for the Royals.
It has been 15 years since the Yankees last played in the World Series, tying 1981-1996 for the longest pennant drought in club history since they won their first title in 1921. But they have their best chance of playing in the Fall Classic in years, getting off to the best record in the American League with a roster full of both veteran and up-and-coming stars.
New York Yankees (46-21) vs. Kansas City Royals (39-27) at Kauffman Stadium, Kansas City, MO
Yankees: 4.94 runs scored/game (7th in MLB), 3.28 runs allowed/game (1st)
Royals: 4.98 runs scored/game (4th), 3.83 runs allowed/game (7th)
The Yankees really caught fire in May, and have won 20 of their last 26 games, despite dropping a home series this past weekend against the Dodgers. They are the best road team in baseball at 24-11, and have only lost two road series all year - to the Blue Jays and Orioles. The Royals did win their home series against the Yankees last year, but they haven’t won the season series from the Yankees since 2014.
The Bronx Bombers have lived up to their moniker with 98 home runs, second-most in baseball, paced by Aaron Judge, who leads all players. Despite playing at cozy Yankee Stadium, the team has hit more home runs on the road than at home. The Yankees also have the highest walk rate with the eighth-lowest strikeout rate.
Judge has been neutralized by Kauffman Stadium in the past, hitting just .246/.300/.462 in 16 games here. Anthony Rizzo is hitting just .153/.189/.177 in his last 22 games. Right-handed slugger Giancarlo Stanton is hitting just .207/.233/.362 against lefties this year. The Yankees have just 34 stolen bases in 45 tries. They have the second-best team by Defensive Runs Saved with Alex Verudgo and Anthony Volpe both excelling in the field.
The Yankees are without speedy utility infielder Jon Berti, who is out with a calf strain. Juan Soto has been dealing with forearm inflammation and did not play last weekend against the Dodgers.
The Royals still have “TBD” for Wednesday’s game, but Michael Wacha won’t be eligible to return by then, so Lynch seems like a good bet to get another start despite his problems the last time out.
Carlos Rodón was roughed up for eight runs without retiring a hitter in his last start of the year against the Royals in 2023. But he has rebounded from that awful season and has a 2.48 ERA over his last six starts with just six walks. Opponents are hitting just .179 with a 39.9 percent whiff rate against his slider this year.
Marcus Stroman is 3-1 with a 3.00 ERA in five starts in his career against the Royals, although that doesn’t include his win in Game 3 of the 2015 ALCS. He failed to get out of the fifth inning in his last start against the Twins, giving up five runs and two homers. He has the second-highest walk rate among qualified starters, although he has walked just six hitters in his last four starts. He has one of the highest groundball rates in baseball at 48.6 percent and has been very BABIP-lucky (.248).
Cody Poteet spent all of last year in the Royals organization rehabbing from Tommy John surgery, but only appeared in one minor league game. He signed on with the Yankees this year, and has given up just four runs in three starts so far. The 29-year-old doesn’t have big swing-and-miss stuff, and he’s been a bit lucky on his sinker with opponents hitting just .150 against it despite a .305 expected batting average and a low 6.1 percent whiff rate.
Nestor Cortes Jr. is a crafty lefty who, along with Stroman, has one of the slowest fastballs among starters. He is known for his deceptive deliveries and has one of the best cutters in baseball with a 40 percent whiff rate on his change up. He throws strikes and has one of the lowest walk rates in baseball, but is also tied for fifth for most home runs allowed with 12.
Yankees reliever have a 3.05 ERA, third-best in baseball despite a below-average strikeout rate and walk rate. Closer Clay Holmes has converted 19-of-22 save opportunities, and hasn’t given up a run in his last nine outings. He’s a sinker/slider pitcher, and opponents have yet to get a hit off his slider, whiffing 48 percent of the time. Former Royals pitcher Luke Weaver has resurrected his career in New York with one of the best walk rates in baseball and a terrific cutter. Lefties are hitting just .136/.240/.136 against Victor González. Journeyman Michael Tonkin has given up just two earned runs in 19 2⁄3 innings since joining the Yankees this year.
The Royals have held their own against teams with a winning record or better this year, but the Yankees will be their biggest test. They are an experienced team with terrific talent that can hit, field, and pitch. Hopefully spacious Kauffman Stadium can keep the Bronx Bombers in check and give the Royals a chance for some more late-inning magic.