Game 1 of the American League Divisional Series kicks off with a battle between the Kansas City Royals and New York Yankees.

The Royals swept their two game Wild Card series against the Baltimore Orioles and will now send Michael Wacha to the mound to face the top seeded New York Yankees who will be pitching Gerrit Cole.

Before making our Royals vs Yankees predictions let us take a look at the top stories and matchups.

 

 

Royals vs Yankees Predictions For AL Divisional Round Game 1

The Royals got strong starts from Cole Ragans and Seth Lugo on their way to a two game sweep over the Baltimore Orioles and will now send Michael Wacha to the mound.

Wacha had a really strong second half, going 7-2 with a 2.79 ERA on his way to a 13-8 record and a 3.35 ERA for the season.

Offensively we know they are carried by Bobby Witt who is going to end up finishing second in MVP voting behind Aaron Judge.

We did see Vinnie Pasquantino return to the Royals lineup last series and his power from the left-side of the plate can play up nicely in Yankee Stadium.

For the Yankees, Gerrit Cole takes the mound. Cole began the year on the IL and had a few rough turns but he too was really strong in the second half of the year, going 6-4 with a 2.76 ERA over his final 12 outings.

Offensively, the Yankees are led by MVP Aaron Judge and that is nothing to take away from the season Juan Soto had in his first year wearing pinstripes. The team also acquired Jazz Chisholm at the trade deadline and have seen improved offense from Gleyber Torres.

 

 

Kansas City Royals: Can Royals Pitching Shut Down Yankees?

We saw the Royals pitching hold their own against a very potent Baltimore Orioles lineup but now they have to deal with Aaron Judge and Juan Soto. 

If the Royals pitching can keep the Yankees top two hitters in relative check, I think their own offense can scrap together some runs against the Yankees here tonight but Michael Wacha's start will go a long way here this evening.

 

 

New York Yankees: Which Gerrit Cole Shows Up?

Gerrit Cole was not good at home this season, posting an ERA of 4.31. We've also seen Cole at times struggle in the postseason and we know there have always been some questions regarding his ability to step up in the big moments.

With the spotlight on the Yankees here as the top seed in the AL with Game 1 in Yankee Stadium the pressure is on.

Will we see the Gerrit Cole that looks like a Cy Young contender or the one that when things start to unravel he folds?

 

 

Royals vs Yankees Odds, Spreads, Total & Betting Lines

We’re about to break down our Royals vs Yankees predictions, but first, here are the current Royals vs Yankees odds, spreads, totals and betting lines from DraftKings Sportsbook:

Run Line

  • Royals +1.5 (-130)
  • Yankees -1.5 (+110)

Money Line

  • Royals: +164
  • Yankees: -198

Total

  • 75 (Over -108/Under -112)

 

 

 

Royals vs Yankees Starting Pitcher & Lineup

Michael Wacha, Kansas City Royals

Wacha had a really strong second half, going 7-2 with a 2.79 ERA on his way to a 13-8 record and a 3.35 ERA for the season.

He did have better splits this season at home than on the road and Yankee Stadium can certainly be a tough place for opposing pitchers, especially as the Yankees stack their lineup with power bat at the top.

Gerrit Cole, New York Yankees

Cole began the year on the IL and had a few rough turns but he too was really strong in the second half of the year, going 6-4 with a 2.76 ERA over his final 12 outings.

Cole was not good at home this season, posting an ERA of 4.31 so we will see if he can right that ship here in Game 1.

 

 

Royals vs Yankees: Yankees -1.5 Runs (+110 on DraftKings)

I don't usually take the run lines in baseball but with the game total leaning on the over 7.5 runs and the Yankees nearly -200 moneyline favorites it just seems like the lean here is on the Yankees winning by more than 1.5 runs at plus odds is the right play here tonight.

 

 

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