As the American League Division Series heats up, the New York Yankees and Kansas City Royals lock themselves in a pivotal Game 3 showdown with the series leveled at one all. This case resumes Wednesday at Kauffman Stadium, which is expected to be very supportive. The stakes couldn’t be higher, with each one of the teams wanting to go up in the series. This exciting clash, as most others in this rivalry have so much to offer, especially in the postseason narratives, gives the best MLB picks and tips for any bettor out there’s enjoyment.
New York Yankees vs. Kansas City Royals 10/9/24 Game Info and Odds |
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| When: | Wednesday, October 9, 2024 at 7:08 PM ET |
| Where: | Kauffman Stadium |
| Watch: | TBS, ESPN, MLB.TV |
| Yankees odds: | -120 Moneyline |
| Royals odds: | +102 Moneyline |
| Total Line: | 8.5 |
New York Yankees (94-68) vs. Kansas City Royals (86-76)
The New York Yankees finished the regular season strong with a 94-68 record, demonstrating resilience and adaptability. Their recent performance includes a 3-game sweep against the Philadelphia Phillies, showcasing their strategic dominance. Following this, they encountered a closely contested series with the Royals, splitting the first two games. Their fluctuating results were also evident in their previous matchups against Pittsburgh, where they secured two wins and suffered two defeats.
| New York Yankees Last 5 Games | |||
| Date | Opponent | Score | SU |
| Oct 7, 2024 | KC | 2-4 | Lose |
| Oct 5, 2024 | KC | 6-5 | Win |
| Sep 29, 2024 | PIT | 6-4 | Win |
| Sep 28, 2024 | PIT | 4-9 | Lose |
| Sep 27, 2024 | PIT | 2-4 | Lose |
The Kansas City Royals, with an 86-76 record, have proven their mettle as postseason underdogs. They’ve won four of their last five games, including a key victory against the Yankees in Game 2, leveraging their home-field advantage. Their recent series win against Cleveland showcased their effective pitching and timely hitting—key elements they’ll need against the formidable Yankees lineup in Game 3.
| Kansas City Royals Last 5 Games | |||
| Date | Opponent | Score | SU |
| Oct 7, 2024 | NYY | 4-2 | Win |
| Oct 5, 2024 | NYY | 5-6 | Lose |
| Oct 2, 2024 | BAL | 2-1 | Win |
| Oct 1, 2024 | BAL | 1-0 | Win |
| Sep 29, 2024 | ATL | 4-2 | Win |
Clarke Schmidt (5-5, 2.85 ERA) vs. Seth Lugo (16-9, 3 ERA)
Clarke Schmidt is making his entry into a game with an impressive record having an ERA of 2.85 and a WHIP of 1.18 over 85.1 innings. Although he holds a balanced 5-5 record, Schmidt has shown that he can pitch with opponents on base, keeping them from taking many hits and fanning 93 batters throughout the season. In the playoffs, everything will depend on Schmidt’s ability to throw strikes and avoid giving up walks, as it is beneficial against any pitcher that has to face the Royals team.
In stark contrast, Seth Lugo has been the most reliable pitcher for the Royals, amassing 16 wins and 9 losses with an earned run average of 3.00. He has pitched 206.2 innings this season, further attesting his durability and dependability. With 181 strikeouts and 1.09 WHIP, Lugo must master pitching on the mound. His veteran presence, as well as his ability to throw a variety of pitches, could prove useful against the Yankees’ strong hitters.
MLB Odds/Point Spread: New York Yankees -120, Total Odds: 8.5
The betting odds slightly favor the Yankees on the moneyline, as providers offer them at -120 odds, attesting to their strong batting order and pitching staff. The same goes for the over/under betting, with the total pegged at 8.5, but recent game trends for both teams provide some over and under indications.
New York Yankees Betting Trends
The Yankees have dominated Kansas City across the last several meetings, especially when playing away from Kansas. This is illustrative of the team having enough preparation and ability to adjust during away games. The recent tendency for Yankees’ ‘over’ bets mostly means they may want to teach their foes a lesson throughout this period.
Kansas City Royals Betting Trends
Regardless of recent home losses of the Royals, their total points scoring is exceedingly low, reflecting their reliability on good pitching and sound defense, which will be critical in holding the Yankees’ batters down.
New York Yankees vs. Kansas City Royals 10/9/24 Betting Picks
Considering the recent results and odds on both teams, it is quite split now. The Yankees are favored a bit on the odds but have also brought in strong pitching and batting and therefore, are a good pick. Although, one can never count out the Royals’ current form, especially in low-scoring matches. The unpredictability is also enhanced further by the fact that they have been very poor in recent matchups but have managed quite successfully when at home.
As for betting value, and especially considering the exceptional pitching performance, the under on the total line is the wisest option, in addition, prop bets on strikeouts can also pay off due to the pitchers’ strong ability to strikeout batters. Regarding the premium matchup tips you are after, the Yankees, slightly superior in the overall metrics, are a better bet than the Royals, who plus money present an interesting opportunity.