Royals vs Yankees Pick: Lugo Takes the Mound for KC in New York (Apr 14)

• Our Royals vs Yankees pick looks at Kansas City making its first trip to New York since the 2024 ALDS loss
• KC sends its ace Seth Lugo to the mound to face NY’s veteran righty Carlos Carrasco
• The Royals are hovering around .500, in 3rd in the AL Central
• The Yankees have cooled down after a scorching start

KC’s Lugo Hopes to Keep Yanks’ Bats Slumbering

Seth Lugo had his career season for the Royals in 2024. He finished 2nd in the AL Cy Young Award voting. He has started well in 2025, though not as dominantly as last season. In 3 starts, he has thrown 16.2 innings, given up 14 hits and 6 earned runs, struck out 12 and walked 7.

Lugo has had reasonable success in his MLB career against the Yankees.

Paul Goldschmidt is 7 for 11 against Lugo with 2 home runs. Aaron Judge is 0 for 11. Cody Bellinger is 2 for 7 with a home run.

The Royals are struggling at the plate. Vinnie Pasquantino is batting .218 with 2 homers. Salvador Perez is hitting .213 with 2 homers. Bobby Witt is batting .305 with a .391 on-base percentage, 6 doubles, a home run, and 5 stolen bases in 6 attempts.

Carrasco Might Be Pitching For His Roster Spot

The Yankees lost 2 of 3 to the Giants. It was the second straight series loss after dropping 2 of 3 to the Tigers. Sunday’s loss was particularly disheartening as they blew a 3-0 lead with one of the top pitchers, Carlos Rodon, on the mound. Rodon allowed 2 home runs to Jung Hoo Lee.

They try to get back on track against the Royals, the team they beat in 4 games in the 2024 ALDS. Veteran Carlos Carrasco gets the start. Carrasco has a 7.71 ERA in 3 appearances for the Yankees. He has given up 16 hits and 10 runs in 11.2 innings. Clarke Schmidt’s return is pending, and Carrasco is on the bubble. The club must decide whether Carrasco is a sufficient safety valve for the injured Marcus Stroman. If he pitches poorly again, he could be gone.

Perez is the only member of the Royals with an extensive history against Carrasco. He is 8 for 33 with 1 double and no home runs. Jonathan India is 2 for 5 with a home run. Witt is 2 for 3 with a home run.

Royals vs Yankees Pick: Lugo Will Mute the Bombers, and Carrasco Gets Hit Hard

The Royals have one of their top pitchers on the mound in Lugo, and they are facing a vulnerable pitcher in Carrasco. Expect KC to knock Carrasco around and win the game behind their ace.