The American League Division Series matchups are now set, and the New York Yankees will face off against the Kansas City Royals following a tense Royals victory over the Baltimore Orioles.
The Royals secured a 2-1 win to advance from the Wild Card round and will now travel north to Yankee Stadium to start the best-of-five series on Saturday.
Yankees to face Royals in ALDS as postseason kicks off
The Yankees, who finished the regular season with the second-best offense by wRC+ in MLB, are set to face a Royals team ranked 20th offensively. Despite their offensive struggles, the Royals managed to overcome the Orioles thanks to their pitching, and that suffocating performance could be key in trying to slow down New York’s powerhouse lineup. Michael Wacha and Brady Singer are the candidates to start Game 1 for Kansas City, while Gerrit Cole will take the mound for the Yankees.
Royals’ young star Bobby Witt Jr. will be a major concern for the Yankees’ pitching staff. Witt, who has made a strong case for MVP consideration this season, will look to wreak havoc on the basepaths, while captain Salvador Perez continues to anchor the lineup with his power-hitting approach.
Gerrit Cole, Carlos Rodón, and Luis Gil are expected to start the first three games for New York, with Clarke Schmidt available in a hybrid role if needed.
Elsewhere in the AL, the Detroit Tigers will take on the Cleveland Guardians after an upset win over Houston in the Wild Card round.
The Yankees and Royals share a colorful postseason history, with iconic battles in the late 1970s. This year’s matchup brings another chapter to that rivalry, as the Bronx Bombers seek their 28th championship title.
Yankees ALDS schedule
- Game 1: Royals at Yankees, Saturday, Oct. 5, 6:38 p.m. ET, Yankee Stadium (TBS/Max)
- Game 2: Royals at Yankees, Monday, Oct. 7, 7:38 p.m. ET, Yankee Stadium (TBS/truTV/Max)
- Game 3: Yankees at Royals, Wednesday, Oct. 9, TBD, Kauffman Stadium (TBS)
- Game 4 (if necessary): Yankees at Royals, Thursday, Oct. 10, TBD, Kauffman Stadium (TBS)
- Game 5 (if necessary): Royals at Yankees, Saturday, Oct. 12, TBD, Yankee Stadium (TBS)
Should the Yankees advance, the American League Championship Series will take place from October 14 to 22, with potential matchups against the Guardians or Tigers.
