Yankees Aim for Back-to-Back Wins Against Struggling Royals

Yankees Aim for Back-to-Back Wins Against Struggling Royals

The New York Yankees seek to secure their second consecutive victory as they face the Kansas City Royals in the second game of their three-game series on Saturday, April 18. After a 4-2 triumph over the Royals on Friday night, the Yankees (11-9) are positioned second in the American League East and hold a 6-5 record at home. In stark contrast, the Royals (7-13) are experiencing a rough patch, having lost five straight games and sporting a 2-8 record on the road this season. Historically, the Yankees dominate the all-time series with a 338-215 record and have won 11 of the last 12 meetings. The game at Yankee Stadium is set to start at 1:35 p.m. ET, with New York entering as a -163 favorite on the money line (risking $163 to win $100). The over/under is set at 8 runs. The SportsLine Projection Model has simulated this matchup 10,000 times, noting that the Over has hit in four of the last seven Kansas City games. The model projects a combined total of 8.8 runs, highlighting potential value in the Over bet. Key players include Kansas City's Bobby Witt Jr., with more than 2.1 total bases expected, alongside Maikel Garcia, Vinnie Pasquantino, and Salvador Perez. For the Yankees, Aaron Judge leads with a projection of 2.47 total bases, supported by Giancarlo Stanton, Ben Rice, and Cody Bellinger. For those looking to make informed picks, the model indicates that one side of the money line holds significant value. Detailed predictions and picks can be accessed through SportsLine.

Source: CBS Sports - 2026-04-18