In this article, we will formulate a Royals vs Yankees prediction for this MLB game on Thursday, June 12, at Kauffman Stadium in Kansas City, Missouri. Let’s take a look at the prediction for this MLB matchup.
New York Yankees Betting Preview
The New York Yankees (41-25, 20-13 Away) lost to the Dodgers, defeated the Guardians, and lost to the Red Sox prior to this series against the Royals. New York is one win away from sweeping Kansas City following last night’s 6-3 victory. Paul Goldschmidt led the offense with two RBI, while Clarke Schmidt got the win after allowing no runs on two hits with seven strikeouts and three walks across 6.0 innings of work.
This year, the Yankees average 5.53 runs per game (2nd in the MLB) on a .261/.345/.468 triple-slash. When it comes to pitching, the Yankees’ staff has a 3.73 ERA (12th) and 1.20 WHIP (7th). Aaron Judge leads the Yankees with a .394 batting average, 25 home runs, and 59 RBI this season.
The projected starting pitcher for the Yankees is Will Warren, who is 4-3 in 13 starts this season, with a 5.34 ERA and 1.41 WHIP in 57.1 innings.
Kansas City Royals Betting Preview
The Kansas City Royals (34-34, 19-15 Home) won the series against the Cardinals but disappointed in the next one against the White Sox, losing two out of three games. The Royals now face a sweep at the hands of the Yankees after Wednesday’s 6-3 defeat. Salvador Perez led the team with two RBI, while Kris Bunic took the loss after allowing five runs on six hits with three strikeouts and four walks in 4.1 innings.
This season, the Royals average 3.40 runs per game (28th in the MLB) on a .253/.305/.372 triple-slash. When it comes to pitching, the Royals’ staff has a 3.45 ERA (6th) and 1.21 WHIP (10th). Vinnie Pasquantino leads the Athletics with a .280 batting average, ten home runs, and 38 RBI this season.
Seth Lugo will take the mound for the Royals on Thursday. The 35-year-old right-hander has a 3-5 record in 11 starts this year with a 3.46 ERA and 1.17 WHIP in 65.0 innings.
Why the Royals will cover
- The Royals have won four of their last five games as underdogs following a loss.
- The Yankees have lost three of their last four Thursday games as road favorites against American League opponents.
- The Royals have covered the run line in 12 of their last 13 games as underdogs following a loss.
- The Yankees have failed to cover the run line in four of their last five games following a road win.
Total Runs Facts
- Each of the Yankees’ last five games as favorites have gone OVER the total runs line.
- Each of the Royals’ last four games as underdogs have gone OVER the total runs line.
- The ‘Inning 1 UNDER 0.5 runs’ market has hit in 10 of the Royals’ last 12 night games at Kauffman Stadium.
- The ‘Inning 1 OVER 0.5 runs’ market has hit in eight of the Yankees’ last 10 games as road favorites.
Matchup/League Facts
- The Royals rank 2nd in the league for strikeouts against this season (470).
- The Royals rank 28th in the league for runs scored this season (231).
- The Yankees rank 1st in the league for on-base percentage this season (.345).
- The Yankees rank 1st in the league for walks this season (270).
Royals vs Yankees Prediction
The Yankees won nine of the previous ten H2H encounters, including the last seven and all five duels this season. I am backing the Royals to stay close and cover the run line in this one because I don’t trust Will Warren, who has the worst numbers out of all current Yankees’ starters. Warren allowed 11 runs in his last two starts, so I am giving a slight advantage to Seth Lugo, who is much more experienced. Lugo allowed a .245 BA in 98 at-bats against the Yankees in his career.