Kansas City Royals (86-76) vs. New York Yankees (94-68)
As we move onto the 2nd game of the ALDS matchup between the New York Yankees and the Kansas City Royals at Yankee Stadium, the postseason fever intensifies with the Yankees having won the first game of the series. It has been a hard-fought regular season for both teams, which would suffice to say in the context of the season match effort. In this particular expert MLB postseason picks analysis, This is also great for all pitchers, and the matchup is set for 7:38 PM Eastern Time on October 7, 2024, and live contest will be on TBS, truTV, Max, and MLB.tv.
The Royals may not have the best chances in this series, but they have the heart, as witnessed in the games played recently. With a batting average of .248 and scoring 735 runs this season, they prove their worth in creating chances for scoring. However, the history has not been so pleasant down there in New York, where they’ve played 7 times and won just but once over the Yankees.
The Yankees have produced good results, and the team has capitalized on the power hitting with an average slugging percentage of .429. With a remarkable 237 home runs this season, their batting lineup can threaten even the best of hurlers, which Kansas City is not. That their last 6 home games since the Royals last visited Yankee Stadium ended in 6 victories confirms why Yankee Stadium remains a fortress. When the series lead is ours, increasing their assertiveness on offense and defending their pitchers against Kansas City’s batters will be the decisive order of the day.
Kansas City Royals vs. New York Yankees Game Info
| When: | Monday, October 7, 2024 at 7:38 PM ET |
| Where: | Yankee Stadium |
| TV: | TBS, truTV, Max |
| Stream: | MLB.TV |
Cole Ragans (11-9, 3.14 ERA) vs. Carlos Rodon (16-9, 3.96 ERA)
Cole Ragans makes his way to the mound after having an impressive season with 223 strikeouts and an ERA of 3.14. His previous performances show that he only allowed 15 home runs this season and had a WHIP of 1.14; he is efficient as well as a control officer, which will be necessary when facing the Yankees mound. A similar approach might be what Ragans will employ, where he will make use of the fastball and changeup in alternating fashion so as to keep the hitters guessing and attempting to recreate the winning season in this match.
Coming into this all-important game, Carlos Rodon, who has won 16-9 with an ERA of 3.96, is more than equipped for the task. Even after giving up 31 homers, he’s still unable to be terrible if called upon to able to finish innings with a total of 195 strikeouts. Sliders have been vital to his success; however, this cannot remain the approach but strategy rather due to the switching style hof a lot of contact hitters for the Royals, bent on winning his team a 2-0 series lead.
MLB Odds/Point Spread: New York Yankees -150, Total Odds: 7.5
The current betting odds favor the Yankees at -150, reflecting their stronger season performance and home-field advantage. The over/under set at 7.5, with the trend leaning towards an under, suggests a pitcher’s duel is expected. Bettors should consider the pitching matchups and recent scoring trends when placing their wagers.
Kansas City Royals Betting Trends
The Royals’ betting trends indicate a propensity for the total going UNDER in their games, particularly on the road and against AL opponents. Their ability to keep games close, combined with their recent underdog status, makes them a potential pick for the spread, especially with the +1.5 line at -175.
New York Yankees Betting Trends
Conversely, the Yankees show a trend towards high-scoring outcomes, with the total going OVER in most of their recent games. Their strength at home and against AL Central teams makes them favorites in the moneyline market, but the spread offers a tighter consideration, given the potential for close scoring.
Kansas City Royals vs. New York Yankees 10/7/24 Betting Picks
The analysis of this crucial matchup seems to indicate that it is likely to be a low scoring affair with very strong performances from starters of both teams. The Royals will have to hope for a very good game from Ragans in order to stop the Yankees, while the Yankees will want to take advantage of any mistakes that the Royals pitchers make with their long-ball hitters.
In the end, while the odds are in favor of the Yankees, such recent form from the Royals and who pitches makes this game closer than the odds suggest. For those looking at prop bets, considering under on total runs might make sense, given that there will be solid pitching. Also, it may be judicious to consider taking the Royals to cover the spread, given that the Yankees are a rather close postseason team. Check out the top betting sites for optimal decisions and betting options across the board.
