KC Royals Face New York Yankees in Battle of Division Leaders

Today is George Brett’s birthday and how appropriate that Kansas City welcomes in his nemesis from his playing days: the New York Yankees. Unlike previous seasons, both teams enter this season leading their respective divisions.

Sunday is dress to the nines as KC’s annual salute to the Negro Leagues takes place which is always a great event.

Probable Pitching Match-ups:
Friday, 7:10 pm – Michael Pineda/RHP (5-0, 2.72) v. Chris Young/RHP (2-0, 0.78)
Saturday, 6:10 pm – CC Sabathia/LHP (1-5, 5.20) v. Danny Duffy/LHP (2-2, 5.67)
Sunday, 1:10 pm – Nathan Eovaldi/RHP (3-1, 4.14) v. Edinson Volquez/RHP (2-3, 3.19)

Comments on Pitching Match-ups – Basically games one and three on paper look to be good pitching match-ups with game two being iffy. Pineda has really become the pitcher New York hoped he’d be when they traded for him a couple years ago. Can Duffy finally put together a start that fans feel he’s capable of? The finale between these two looks like it could be a nice match-up between the two scheduled starters.

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Game 1: Both pitchers are unbeaten and can be categorized as surprising. After all, did anyone expect them to have the records they do? Pineda has won his first five games and has an ERA under three. Young has made the most out his chance to start giving the Royals two solid starts against Detroit which have resulted in no-decisions.
Game 2: Sabathia, while trimmer, has seen his ERA balloon this year while struggling winning just one game this season. Duffy’s last two starts have resulted in him throwing just 4.2 innings (One versus Cleveland and 3.2 at Texas) which needs to improve.
Game 3: Eovaldi might be unfamiliar to most fans since he’s been with the Miami Marlins and is in his first season in the Bronx. Volquez struggled in Arlington earning a no-decision in a game KC won in extra innings.

Series Predictions – Despite leading the AL East, the Yankees lost three of four at Tampa Bay to enter this series. Alex Rodriguez has been one of the bigger stories this season with him moving past Willie Mays. Neither team enters with any great momentum as Kansas City alternated wins and losses splitting with Texas. I’d lean towards the pinstripes given who they start in addition to how Andrew Miller and Dellin Betances have been superb. The Royals bullpen, while dominant, has been getting more work than preferred. Prediction: Yankees win two of three

2014 Meetings:
Last season Kansas City won the season series 4-3 which was the first time since 1999 KC won the season series between these two.

Franchise History:
New York holds 276-189 all-time lead over the KC Royals these foes which includes a record of 124-108 in games played in Kansas City.

TV/Radio Coverage:
FOX Sports Kansas City will broadcast all three games with Ryan Lefebvre and Rex Hudler on the call. Royals Live takes place 30 minutes prior to first pitch which is hosted by Joel Goldberg and Royals Hall of Famer Jeff Montgomery from left field, in addition to following the game.

The Royals Radio Network (610 Sports in Kansas City) has Royals Hall of Famer/2007 Ford C. Frick Award winner Denny Matthews who’s joined in the booth by Steve Physioc and Steve Stewart describing all the action from the K.

2015 Series Schedule/Results v. Yankees
May 15-17: Kauffman Stadium
May 25-27: Yankee Stadium

Game Notes:
New York Yankees
Kansas City Royals

Next: Breaking Down the Struggles of the Royals Rotation

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