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The New York Yankees will play host to the Kansas City Royals at Yankee Stadium on Tuesday night. It’s time to continue our MLB odds series and make a Royals-Yankees prediction and pick.
New York seems to be turning a corner as they've won five of their last six games to date. The Yankees are hoping to get back into the conversation in the AL East and will have a great opportunity to do so against a reeling Royals club. Kansas City has lost 12 of their last 15 games and five of their last six against the Yankees.
Here’s how sportsbooks have set the opening Royals-Yankees odds.
MLB Odds: Royals-Yankees Odds
Kansas City Royals +1.5 (+115)
New York Yankees -1.5 (-135)
Over 7.5 Runs (-108)
Under 7.5 Runs (-112)
Why The Royals Could Cover The Spread
The Kansas City Royals had a surprisingly great start to their season and have since returned to earth as one of the worst clubs in the Majors. The Royals are 3-12 in their last 15 games and 32-38 on the season. They are 1-6 over their last seven road games and 14-19 overall when playing away from home.
Kansas City has shown some flashes with the bats and average 4.23 runs per game, which is good for 19th in the Majors. They average the 10th-most hits per game and strikeout at the second-best rate in baseball. Their pitching and defense have been very underwhelming as their near the bottom of the league in all categories.
The Royals will turn to young right-hander Brady Singer for the series opener. Singer is currently 3-5 with a 4.76 ERA through 14 starts this season. The Royals starter has really struggled with a 5.30 ERA over his last seven starts to date. The young righty will make his first career start against the Yankees on Tuesday night.
Why The Yankees Could Cover The Spread
The New York Yankees seem to be turning a corner as they are finally winning games despite their struggling offense. They have relied on their tremendous pitching staff and will need the offense to wake up if they want to catch the Red Sox and Rays in the AL East. New York has won five of their last six home games against the underwhelming Kansas City Royals and will look to build on their current 38-33 record in this series.
New York is averaging just 3.96 runs per game this season, which is good for 26th in the Majors. Their bats have come alive of late as they are averaging 4.83 runs over their last six games, though. The Yankees pitching and defense has been stellar this season as they're top 10 in the league in most categories. New York possesses one of the best bullpens in all of baseball as well.
New York will turn to right-hander Gerrit Cole for the series opener. The Yankees ace tossed a season-high eight innings against the Blue Jays in his last start. Cole allowed just two runs on four hits in the dominant win against the divisional rivals. The perennial Cy Young candidate has struck out 117 batters through his first 14 starts, which is a franchise record through 14 starts.
Final Royals-Yankees Prediction & Pick
The New York Yankees are quickly returning to form as one of the best clubs in the league. Their recent play has been promising and if they can take care of business against weaker opponents like the Royals, the Yankees will be right back in the contender conversations. With Gerrit Cole on the bump, New York should bring a confident approach to the plate and look to provide run support for their ace. I have no doubt that Cole will be lights out yet again against the struggling Royals offense. New York will put runs on the board and cover this spread.
FINAL PICK: New York Yankees -1.5 (-135)
