- Get expert MLB playoff betting predictions for the Royals vs. Yankees ALDS matchup.
- The Yankees are -200 favorites to win Saturday’s Game 1.
- New York is -200 to advance to the ALCS.
For the first time since 1980, the Kansas City Royals and New York Yankees will face off in the postseason.
This year’s ALDS matchup will restore a fierce rivalry between one of the biggest brands in baseball and a small-market team. The Yankees, the No. 1 seed in the American League and fresh off a bye, are -200 favorites to win this series.
The Royals, who are coming off a 2-0 sweep of the Baltimore Orioles, are 9-1 in their last 10 playoff series.
Here is a look at the latest MLB odds for Royals vs. Yankees and my best bet ahead of Saturday’s Game 1:
MLB Playoff Odds – Royals vs. Yankees
- Royals Moneyline: +165
- Yankees Moneyline: -200
- Over/Under: 7.5 (-120/+100)
- Series Price: Royals (+165), Yankees (-200)
Royals vs. Yankees Schedule, Pitchers, TV Info
| Game | Date/Time | Royals SP | Yankees SP | TV |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Game 1 | Saturday at 6:38 p.m. ET | Michael Wacha | Gerrit Cole | TBS |
| Game 2 | Monday at 7:38 p.m. ET | Cole Ragans | Carlos Rodón | TBS |
| Game 3 | Wednesday at TBD | TBD | TBD | TBS |
| Game 4 | Oct. 10 at TBD | TBD | TBD | TBS |
| Game 5 | Oct. 12 at TBD | TBD | TBD | TBS |
Royals vs. Yankees ALDS Prediction, Game 1 Best Bet
Best bet: Yankees Run Line -1.5 (+110)
The Yankees should flex their muscles in Saturday’s Game 1.
Kansas City only scored three runs in its 2-0 sweep over Baltimore after the offense was the worst in baseball in September.
That was enough run support for Cole Ragans and Seth Lugo against the Orioles’ lineup, but Michael Wacha will need more help when facing the Yankees in Game 1.
Wacha (13-8, 3.35 ERA) is a changeup-heavy pitcher, throwing that pitch 32.2% of the time. I expect Aaron Judge and Juan Soto to sit on that pitch and take advantage. Judge posted the highest xwOBA (.489) among all MLB hitters against the changeup.
The Yankees averaged seven runs per game against the Royals, scoring double-digit runs three times and winning by multiple runs in four of their seven head-to-head meetings.
New York should win by a comfortable margin on Saturday.
Royals vs. Yankees: Betting Stats
- Kansas City Royals 2024 Moneyline Record: 88-76
- Kansas City Royals 2024 Over/Under Record: 69-90
- New York Yankees 2024 Moneyline Record: 94-68
- New York Yankees 2024 Over/Under Record: 86-69
Royals vs. Yankees 2024 Season Series
| Date | Location | Result |
|---|---|---|
| Sept. 11 | Yankee Stadium | Yankees 4, Royals 3 |
| Sept. 10 | Yankee Stadium | Royals 5, Yankees 0 |
| Sept. 9 | Yankee Stadium | Yankees 10, Royals 4 |
| June 13 | Kauffman Stadium | Royals 4, Yankees 3 |
| June 12 | Kauffman Stadium | Yankees 11, Royals 5 |
| June 11 | Kauffman Stadium | Yankees 10, Royals 1 |
| June 10 | Kauffman Stadium | Yankees 4 , Royals 2 |
Visit the online sportsbook for game odds and futures odds throughout the playoffs, including Yankees World Series odds and Royals World Series odds.
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