Royals vs Yankees

The battle between the Royals and Yankees is one of the most storied rivalries in all of baseball. The two teams have met in the playoffs 11 times, with the Yankees holding a 7-4 edge. The most recent meeting came in the 2015 AL Wild Card Game, which the Yankees won 7-4.

The Royals are looking to avenge that loss and advance to the ALDS for the first time since 2015. They will have their hands full against a Yankees team that is one of the favorites to win the World Series. The Yankees have won the AL East in each of the past two seasons and have a lot of experience in the playoffs.

The series is likely to be a close one. The Royals have a strong pitching staff led by Danny Duffy and Brad Keller, while the Yankees have a powerful offense led by Aaron Judge and Giancarlo Stanton. The Royals will need to play their best baseball to pull off the upset.

Here are some of the key matchups to watch in the series:

• Danny Duffy vs. Gerrit Cole: This will be a battle of two of the best pitchers in baseball. Duffy was 13-11 with a 3.75 ERA this season, while Cole was 16-8 with a 3.25 ERA. Both pitchers are capable of throwing complete games, so this could be a long one.
• Brad Keller vs. Luis Severino: Keller was a breakout star for the Royals this season, going 14-8 with a 3.53 ERA. Severino is a former All-Star who had a strong season in 2019, going 19-8 with a 3.39 ERA. This is a matchup that could swing the series in either direction.
• Aaron Judge vs. Salvador Perez: These two are two of the best offensive players in baseball. Judge is a two-time MVP who led the league in home runs this season, while Perez is a five-time All-Star who is known for his power and leadership. This is a matchup that could produce some fireworks.

The Royals and Yankees are two of the most storied franchises in baseball. The series is sure to be a close one, and it could go either way.