The New York Yankees will be trying to close out the ALDS against the Kansas City Royals when these two teams meet again for Game 4 at Kauffman Stadium in Kansas City on Thursday night.
They have alternated wins so far, with the Yankees taking Game 1 at home before regaining the series lead with a Game 3 victory in K.C. on Wednesday.
Let’s take a look at the best bets to be made for Game 4.
The Royals had momentum and were heading home after taking Game 2 in the Bronx on Monday, however, the tide has turned once again in this series and it’s the Yankees who are now in the driver’s seat.
Although such a short series (best of five) is always up for grabs until the very end, Kansas City may not be able to recover from Wednesday’s crushing loss.
The home team tied the score at 2-2 with a pair of runs in the bottom of the sixth inning, only to see New York’s Giancarlo Stanton hit to be what proved to be a game-winning homer in the top of the eighth as the Yankees prevailed 3-2.
Not only do the visitors have the series lead, but they also own the pitching matchup on Thursday. They have six-time all-star and 2023 AL Cy Young Award winner Gerrit Cole toeing the rubber.
Cole ended the regular season by pitching to a 1.93 ERA in August and a 2.53 ERA in September.
The Royals are countering with Michael Wacha, who gave up three runs on four hits and three walks during a 6-5 loss to New York in the series opener this past Saturday.
With Cole on the mound, Stanton heating up and momentum on their side, the Yankees have a good chance of punching their ticket to the ALCS and avoiding a winner-take-all elimination game.
Don’t be surprised if this turns into a classic postseason contest, one in which runs come at a premium. Although 11 were scored when Cole and Wacha clashed in Game 1, lightning is unlikely to strike twice.
These pitchers are simply too good and the matchups for them are favorable.
Wacha went 13-8 this year with a 3.35 ERA. In 11 regular-season starts all time against the Yankees he boasts a 2.97 ERA.
Cole compiled an 8-5 record with a 3.41 ERA in 2024 and he is 4-1 with a 2.77 lifetime ERA in eight regular-season outings against the Royals.
Neither starter was dominant this past Saturday, but both should be in line for some success in the rematch.
Since Game 1, both offenses have been kept in check, only 11 total runs have been scored in the last two contests combined.
Yankees slugger Aaron Judge is an anemic 1-for-11 through three games against Kansas City, while Gleyber Torres is 1-for-10 in the series.
For the Royals, Bobby Witt Jr. is 4-for-22 in five postseason contests and Vinnie Pasquatino is 2-for-19. Needless to say, such numbers aren’t going to strike any fear in a veteran pitcher like Cole.
With two solid starters on the mound and bats relatively silent of late, look for the under to cash.
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New York Yankees | -150 ML |
Kansas City Royals | +125 ML |
Run Line | Yankees -1.5 (+110) |
Total | O/U 7.5 |
Aaron Judge (NYY) | +285 |
Giancarlo Stanton (NYY) | +370 |
Juan Soto (NYY) | +470 |
Salvador Perez (KC) | +430 |
Bobby Witt Jr. (KC) | +440 |
Michael Massey (KC) | +600 |
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This article was written by a partner sports writer via Spotlight Sports Group. All odds displayed on this page were correct at the time of writing and are subject to withdrawal or change at any time.