The Kansas City Royals and the New York Yankees meet Saturday in MLB action from Yankee Stadium. This is the second installment of a three-game weekend series. In the opener New York came back from a 3-1 deficit in a close victory. Check back all season long for free MLB picks at Sports Chat Place. 

Kansas City Royals 

The Royals have been spotty at best on offense lately, posting a combined four runs in their previous three losses coming into this series. In the opener Kansas City got a stellar evening from Michael Massey (2-for-4; two homers; four RBI) but lost 5-4. 

For the starter job in the Saturday game two, it’ll be Brady Singer. Over his 19 starts this year Singer is 6-8 with a 5.70 ERA and 81 Ks in 102.2 innings. Singer is 1-1 in his last pair of start with 20 hits and 10 earned runs allowed. 

New York Yankees 

Over on the New York side, they’re not doing well these days either. The Yankees gave up 16 runs in a three-game sweep by the Angels this week. On Friday New York’s Billy McKinney posted a three-run homer in the fourth, and both Gleyber Torres and Franchy Cordero added solo shots on the way to the win. 

It’ll be Gerrit Cole in the start for the Yankees on Saturday. Across 20 starts this year Cole is 9-2 with a 2.78 ERA and 134 strikeouts over 123.0 innings. Cole is coming off one earned in 6.0 innings in Colorado during his last outing. 

New York Yankees Team Facts

• The Yankees have lost four of their last five games as favourites after playing the previous day.
• The underdogs have covered the run line in seven of the Yankees’ last eight games.
• The Yankees have won the first inning in each of their last three day games at Yankee Stadium.
• The Yankees have led after 7 innings in each of their last six day games against the Royals at Yankee Stadium.
• The Yankees have trailed after 5 innings in three of their last four games as favourites.

Kansas City Royals Team Facts

• The Royals have lost eight of their last nine road games.
• The Royals have covered the run line in six of their last seven games after playing the previous day.
• The Royals have trailed after 7 innings in each of their last six day games at Yankee Stadium against AL East opponents.
• The Royals have trailed after 3 innings in each of their last three games.
• The Royals have led after 5 innings in five of their last seven games as underdogs against American League opponents.

New York Yankees Player Prop Facts

• Gleyber Torres has hit a home run in each of the Yankees’ last two games against opponents that held a losing record.
• Gleyber Torres has recorded two or more total bases in each of the Yankees’ last eight games against opponents that held a losing record.
• Gleyber Torres has recorded at least one RBI in each of the Yankees’ last four games against AL opponents that held a losing record.
• Billy McKinney has recorded at least one hit in each of his nine previous home appearances against AL opponents that held a losing record.
• Gerrit Cole ranks 6th amongst qualified players for Earned Run Average (2.78) this season.

Kansas City Royals Player Prop Facts

• Bobby Witt Jr. has hit a home run in four of his last five appearances in day games.
• Edward Olivares has recorded at least one total base in each of his last eight appearances in day games against AL East teams that held a winning record.
• Brady Singer has recorded five or more strikeouts in four of his last five road appearances against AL East opponents.
• Bobby Witt Jr. has recorded at least one RBI in five of his last six appearances in day games.
• Bobby Witt Jr. has recorded at least one hit in each of the Royals’ last 10 day games against AL East opponents that held a winning record.
• Bobby Witt Jr. ranks 5th in the league in Steals (27) this season.

Matchup/League Facts

• The New York Yankees ranks 29th in the league for hits this season (734).
• The New York Yankees ranks 29th in the league for doubles this season (130).
• The Kansas City Royals ranks 1st in the league for triples this season (25).
• The Kansas City Royals ranks 30th in the league for on-base percentage this season (.293).

ANDREW’S FREE PICK 

I’ll go with New York in this one, but with the way the Yankees are playing lately I’m probably not going near it. The line is way too thick. The good news is that Cole is pitching well lately. He’s gone at least 6.0 innings in each of his last three starts, posting a combined six earned in 19.1 innings. Cole should be able to tamp down the KC offense, and New York should be able to bag a few runs off Singer. He’s given up 10 earned in his last 14.0 frames so the opportunity will be there. Considering the Yankees’ shaky offense these days this matchup will probably be close.