Yankees Rely on Clarke Schmidt, Royals Turn to All-Star Seth Lugo
New York Yankees Rely on Clarke Schmidt; Royals Turn to All-Star Seth Lugo
The American League Division Series (ALDS) intensifies as the New York Yankees and Kansas City Royals head to Kansas City for Game 3, with the series tied at one game each. The Yankees narrowly clinched the opener 6-5, but the Royals bounced back decisively with a 4-2 victory in Game 2. Both teams are eager to gain the upper hand, and the matchup on Wednesday night features Yankees right-hander Clarke Schmidt (5-5, 2.85 ERA) against Royals All-Star Seth Lugo (16-9, 3.00 ERA). First pitch is set for 7:08 PM EST.
Yankees Hang Their Hopes on Schmidt
The Yankees faced a setback on Monday, struggling offensively and squandering a chance to take a 2-0 series lead. Starter Carlos Rodon began strong, striking out the side in the first inning, but quickly faltered, giving up four runs on seven hits over just 3.2 innings. New York managed only a single run through eight innings until Jazz Chisholm hit a home run in the ninth to bring the final score to 4-2. Aaron Judge continues to be a concern for the Yankees, going 1-for-3 in Game 2 and now sitting at just 1-for-7 in the series with four strikeouts. With a career playoff batting average just over .200 and an alarming 35% strikeout rate, Judge emphasized the need for clutch hitting, stating, “They were making their pitches when they needed to. We’ve got to come through in those situations to kind of break it open.”
Now, the spotlight shifts to Clarke Schmidt, who the Yankees will rely on in this critical Game 3. Returning to the rotation after a lengthy stint on the injured list, Schmidt closed out the regular season with a 5-5 record and a solid 2.85 ERA. However, he struggled for consistency, posting only two quality starts among his 16 appearances. Notably, Schmidt has excelled on the road this season, with a 1.39 ERA in eight away starts, albeit with a 3-3 record. In his last five starts of the regular season, he recorded an 0-2 record while allowing 22 hits over 24.2 innings but managed to strike out 26 batters. Schmidt has not faced the Royals this year, adding an element of uncertainty to his performance.
Royals Turn to All-Star Lugo for Home Advantage
The Kansas City Royals, buoyed by their Game 2 win, look to capitalize on their home-field advantage in Game 3. Sal Perez, a veteran leader and the last remaining player from the Royals’ 2015 World Series championship team, ignited the Royals’ offense with a leadoff home run in the fourth inning, sparking a four-run rally that chased Yankees starter Rodon from the game. Cole Ragans, despite facing control issues and issuing four walks, managed to navigate into the fifth inning, while the Royals’ bullpen showcased its resilience, shutting down the Yankees’ bats to secure the victory.
Now returning to Kauffman Stadium for the first time this postseason, the Royals aim to take two wins at home and avoid returning to New York. They will hand the ball to All-Star right-hander Seth Lugo, a crucial offseason acquisition from San Diego. Lugo had a standout season, finishing with a 16-9 record and a 3.00 ERA over 33 starts, leading the team with 22 quality starts. At home, he posted a 7-6 record with a 3.36 ERA across 17 appearances. Lugo has faced the Yankees twice this season, going 1-1 while allowing 11 hits over 14 innings and striking out 14 batters. In his playoff debut, Lugo pitched 4.1 innings against the Orioles, surrendering five hits and just one run, courtesy of a solo home run.
Conclusion
As the Yankees and Royals prepare for this pivotal Game 3, both teams understand the importance of this matchup in shaping the series. Clarke Schmidt’s ability to deliver on the road against a formidable lineup will be crucial for New York, while Seth Lugo aims to continue his All-Star form to give Kansas City an edge. With both teams fighting for a crucial lead in the best-of-five series, expect a thrilling contest in front of a passionate Royals crowd. Tune in at 7:08 PM EST to catch all the action!
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