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The New York Yankees (49-21) and Kansas City Royals (39-30) meet Thursday, as they conclude a 4-game series. The opening pitch at Kauffman Stadium is scheduled for 2:10 p.m. ET (MLB Network). Let’s analyze BetMGM Sportsbook’s lines around the Yankees vs. Royals odds and make our expert MLB picks and predictions for the best bets.
Season series: Yankees lead 3-0
New York has scored 21 runs over the last 2 nights, has taken the 1st 3 games of this series and has won 4 in a row overall. In 16 road games since May 12, the Yankees have slashed a .274/.332/.499 (.831 OPS).
The Royals won 8 in a row May 17-25, but they have struggled since. Kansas City is 5-11 (with a 5.72 ERA) since May 26.
Yankees at Royals projected starters
LHP Nestor Cortes vs. RHP Alec Marsh
Cortes (3-5, 3.68 ERA) is making his 15th start. He has registered a 1.12 WHIP, 1.8 BB/9 and 8.7 K/9 in 80 2/3 IP.
- Last outing: Loss, 5 1/3 IP, 4 ER, 7 H, 1 BB, 4 K in 11-3 setback vs. Los Angeles Dodgers Saturday
- Career vs. Royals: 2-1, 2.82 ERA (22 1/3 IP, 7 ER), 25 H, 6 BB, 22 K in 3 starts and 2 relief appearances
- Has allowed 4 HR over his last 2 starts
Marsh (5-3, 4.05 ERA) is making his 12th start. He has a 1.17 WHIP, 2.6 BB/9 and 8.1 K/9 in 60 IP.
- Last outing: Win, 5 IP, 4 ER, 7 H, 0 BB, 8 K in 8-4 victory vs. Seattle Mariners Saturday
- Career vs. Yankees: 0-2, 7.45 ERA (9 2/3 IP, 8 ER), 11 H, 5 BB, 9 K in 1 start and 1 relief appearance
- Has yielded 5 HR across his last 17 IP
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Yankees at Royals odds
Provided by BetMGM Sportsbook; access USA TODAY Sports Scores and Sports Betting Odds hub for a full list. Lines last updated at 10:50 a.m. ET.
- Moneyline: Yankees -160 (bet $160 to win $100) | Royals +135 (bet $100 to win $135)
- Run line (RL)/Against the spread (ATS): Yankees -1.5 (-105) | Royals +1.5 (-115)
- Over/Under (O/U): 10.5 (O: -110 | U: -110)
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Yankees at Royals picks and predictions
Prediction
Yankees 7, Royals 5
Moneyline
A wind-out blowing-out high score and a surging New York (-160) offense make for a Yankees lean worthy of RL action. PASS.
Run line/Against the spread
New York is 13-4 over its last 17 games at Kansas City, and the Yankees are 14-3 across their last 17 games against the Royals.
The Royals bullpen has clocked a shaky 5.01 ERA since May 1. In front of that unit is Marsh, who has been touched up with plenty of loud contact across recent starts.
Over their last 5 day games after a night game, the Yanks have gone 4-1; all 4 of those wins were by multiple-run margins.
TAKE THE YANKEES -1.5 (-105).
Over/Under
The last 13 Kansas City home games have seen the Over go 11-2.
The Yankee offense is a top-5 unit. The Royals bats have performed well at home (.779 OPS), and left-handers swing K.C. to the best side of its platoon splits (.740 OPS vs. lefties).
Both starters have been home-run prone of late. In a game with some added fade at the bullpen end and on a warmed-up afternoon with a batter’s breeze in the forecast, take the Over.
BACK THE OVER 10.5 (-110).
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