Jun 8, 2025; Bronx, New York, USA; New York Yankees shortstop Anthony Volpe (11) hits an infield single in opposition to the Boston Red Sox throughout the sixth inning at Yankee Stadium. Mandatory Credit: John Jones-Imagn Images In 2024, the New York Yankees eradicated the Kansas City Royals from the postseason. Presently, solely one in all these golf equipment has persistently performed like a playoff contender.
The American League East-leading Yankees eye a sixth straight win over the Royals when New York visits Kansas City in Tuesday evening’s sequence opener.
Last 12 months, Kansas City returned to the postseason for the primary time since profitable the 2015 World Series. However, after sweeping Baltimore within the wild-card spherical, the Royals managed only one win within the best-of-five division sequence versus New York.
A bit of greater than two months into the 2025 marketing campaign, the Yankees personal the second-best report within the AL and entered Monday with a 4 1/2-game lead within the East. That’s after permitting 21 runs in two straight losses in opposition to rival Boston.
“The message is: ‘Just preserve going,'” New York star Aaron Judge stated. “… That’s baseball. Just return to work.”
Kansas City, in the meantime, was 24-16 on May 9 however has averaged 3.3 runs whereas going 10-16 since. The Royals entered Monday fourth within the AL Central however gained 7-5 on Sunday to keep away from a sequence sweep on the hand of the lowly Chicago White Sox.
“You acquired to maintain placing good at-bats collectively,” Royals supervisor Matt Quatraro stated.
Back in April, Kansas City scored simply six runs whereas being swept at New York.
Judge went 7-for-10 with a double and a solo homer throughout that April sequence. Batting a serious league-best .396, Judge had three hits, together with his twenty second and twenty third house runs, throughout Sunday’s 11-7 house loss to the Red Sox.
“He’s most likely the perfect hitter on the planet proper now,” teammate Paul Goldschmidt advised reporters.
Judge and the Yankees will get their first take a look at gifted Kansas City rookie Noah Cameron (2-1, 0.85 ERA), who has been stellar in 5 profession begins. The left-hander from close by St. Joseph, Mo., has allowed simply three runs whereas giving up 15 hits and 10 walks over 31 2/3 innings.
Cameron yielded two hits over six scoreless innings Thursday, however the Royals’ bullpen failed to carry a 3-0 lead in a 6-5, 10-inning loss at St. Louis. He’s the primary pitcher since Fernando Valenzuela in 1981 to permit one or no runs whereas going six or extra innings in his first 5 profession begins.
“I’m simply attempting to, clearly, assist us win, and pitch deep into the sport. And, clearly, give us an opportunity,” Cameron advised the MLB Network.
Fellow Royals rookie Jac Caglianone, who will play his first house recreation on Tuesday since debuting June 3, had 4 hits Sunday at Chicago after going 2-for-21 in his first 5 profession video games.
Caglianone and the Royals may once more have their fingers full in opposition to scheduled Yankees starter Max Fried (8-1, 1.78 ERA), who ranks among the many AL leaders in wins and ERA. The left-hander confirmed off his dominance Thursday by limiting Cleveland to only one hit and two walks whereas placing out seven in a 4-0 New York win.
Against the Royals on April 15, Fried gave up 5 hits and two walks however fanned seven over 6 innings within the Yankees’ 4-2 victory.
Kansas City star Bobby Witt Jr. is 2-for-6 with a double lifetime versus Fried. He’s additionally batting .345 with two homers and 6 RBIs in seven June contests.
–Field Level Media