New York Yankees (94-68) vs. Kansas City Royals (86-76)
With the intensity of the playoffs rising, the New York Yankees are about to face the Kansas City Royals in game four of the ALDS at Kauffman Stadium. Since the Yankees lead the series 2-1, this matchup could either give the Royals the last nudge they require to tumble out or resuscitate their land of postseason. Fans and bettors alike are eyeing this pivotal game, making it a hot topic on the top betting platforms.
The Yankees’ strong regular season performance, the Yankees have done well having achieved a record of 94-68, which highlights their formidable nature. Line-up-wise, there is no gainsaying that there is plenty of offense, as the team recorded 237 home runs and had a team batting average of .248. Their pitching has also not left behind, as they collectively have a 3.74 ERA and struck out 1457 batters. The Yankees will also be encouraged by their ability to win even on such high-pressure situations like the recent away games where they won 6-1.
On the other side, the Kansas City Royals, with an 86-76 record, batting average is concerned with that of .248 but lack the other power as they have only managed to post 170 home runs. Their pitching staff similarly has a 3.76 ERA, meaning that they can hold forth in any pitching wobble. But days have not been good for the Royals at home as they have lost their last 7 games at the Kauffman Stadium, which is a record that they wish to change if they believe in going any deeper into the postseason further.
New York Yankees vs. Kansas City Royals Game Info
When: | Thursday, October 10, 2024, at 8:08 PM ET |
Where: | Kauffman Stadium |
TV: | TBS, truTV, Max |
Stream: | MLB.TV |
Gerrit Cole (8-5, 3.41 ERA) vs. Michael Wacha (13-8, 3.35 ERA)
As the Yankees’ No.1 starter, Gerrit Cole boasts an impressive postseason experience and a current season ERA of 3.41. The better part of his season has seen him record near a strikeout an inning with 99 in 95 frames pitched. One of the keys to Cole’s game is how the game’s pace is controlled and how the hitters for the Royals, who can be very stubborn with men on base, are kept in check. This experience will benefit the Yankees an advantage in particular in terms of handling the playoff pressure.
Michael Wacha is poised to start the game for Kansas City Royals, and he has been doing well this season, scoring a 13-8 win-loss record. During 166.2inning, Wacha recorded 145, thereby proving himself able and qualified to play during pressure moments in any game. It is this characteristic that will be valuable in stopping the Yankees’ sluggers. The Royals will depend on his ability for the most on this veteran arm as they will have to face the Yankees again in Game 5 of the series.
MLB Odds/Point Spread: New York Yankees -155, Total Odds: 7.5
The current betting landscape sees the Yankees favored to win, with a moneyline set at -155 and a point spread of -1.5 (+110). The game’s total is pegged at 7.5, with the over favored at -120, reflecting expectations of a tight, competitive bout. These odds suggest a close contest, likely dominated by pitching prowess and strategic play.
New York Yankees Betting Trends
The Yankees’ recent form, including a 13-7 record in their last 20 games and a historical edge of 14-6 against the Royals, positions them favorably in this matchup. Their success in games played in October, with the total going UNDER in 8 of the last 10, indicates their efficiency in postseason conditions where pitching often takes precedence.
Kansas City Royals Betting Trends
Despite the Royals’ less favorable recent home record, their overall performance, including a 4-2 standing in their last six games, shows they can compete under pressure. The trend of games going UNDER in 7 of their last 8 outings underscores the strength of their pitching and the often close, low-scoring games they are involved in, particularly against strong opponents like the Yankees.
New York Yankees vs. Kansas City Royals 10/10/2024 Betting Picks
Taking into account both teams’ paths to this moment and the fact that Game 4 is crucial in a five-game series, consider that this game is going to be very close as the major emphasis will be on the pitchers. Yankees seem to be in a very good position to win this game with their game experience and recent results; however, the Royals’ desperation to stay alive could lead to surprises.
In terms of the pitching matchups and, historically, how these teams have performed during the season, placing bets on Yankees covering the spread seems more intelligent, whereas the total going UNDER has been a very popular trend in this series. For individuals who wish to stake a prop bet, it might be wise to focus on starting pitcher’s performance bets as they might be more lucrative. Similar to how the first-round paring on the brackets affects the betting markets, This game stands out as one of the premium matchup selections for bettors, focusing on postseason dynamics and key player performances.