Yankees Rely on Schmidt as Royals Call on All-Star Lugo
New York Yankees Rely on Schmidt as Kansas City Royals Call on All-Star Lugo
The American League Division Series (ALDS) is heating up as the New York Yankees and Kansas City Royals head to Kansas City for a critical Game 3. The series is tied 1-1 after the Yankees edged the Royals 6-5 in the opener, only for Kansas City to bounce back with a solid 4-2 victory in Game 2 at Yankee Stadium. Tonight’s first pitch is scheduled for 7:08 PM EST, and all eyes will be on the pitching matchup featuring Clarke Schmidt for the Yankees and Seth Lugo for the Royals.
New York Hangs Its Hopes on Schmidt
The Yankees are in a tight spot after their Game 2 loss, where their offense struggled to capitalize on opportunities. Starter Carlos Rodón began the game strongly but faltered, surrendering four runs on seven hits and exiting after just 3.2 innings. The Yankees managed only one run through eight innings, finally breaking through with a Jazz Chisholm home run in the ninth.
Superstar Aaron Judge has faced significant challenges this postseason, going just 1-for-3 in Game 2 and now sitting at 1-for-7 for the series, including four strikeouts. Historically, Judge’s postseason struggles are notable; he holds a career batting average slightly above .200 in the playoffs and has a strikingly high strikeout rate of 35 percent, the worst all-time in MLB history.
In a crucial Game 3, the Yankees will rely on Clarke Schmidt to turn the tide. Schmidt, who recently returned from a stint on the injured list, ended the regular season with a 5-5 record and a commendable 2.85 ERA. However, he only notched two quality starts in 16 appearances. Notably, Schmidt has performed better on the road, boasting a 1.39 ERA in eight away games. In his last five starts, he struggled with an 0-2 record, allowing 22 hits in 24.2 innings while striking out 26 batters. Schmidt has not faced the Royals this season, making tonight’s matchup even more intriguing.
Royals Go with All-Star Lugo
The Kansas City Royals are riding the momentum of their Game 2 win, thanks in part to veteran catcher Salvador Pérez, who hit a leadoff home run to tie the game before the Royals added three more runs in the fourth inning to knock Rodón out of the game. The Royals’ starter, Cole Ragans, managed to battle through control issues and delivered a solid performance, allowing the bullpen to seal the win.
Now returning home for their first playoff game since 2015, the Royals are eager to capitalize on the electric atmosphere of Kauffman Stadium. They have a chance to take a commanding 2-1 series lead with two games at home. The team will hand the ball to All-Star righty Seth Lugo, a critical offseason acquisition who finished the regular season with a stellar 16-9 record and a 3.00 ERA over 33 starts, including a team-leading 22 quality starts.
Lugo has pitched effectively at home, posting a 3.36 ERA in 17 starts and earning a 7-6 record. He faced the Yankees twice this season, going 1-1 while allowing 11 hits over 14 innings and striking out 14 batters. In his sole playoff appearance against the Orioles, Lugo allowed just one run over 4.1 innings, further solidifying his reputation as a reliable postseason performer.
Conclusion
As the Yankees look to regain momentum, Schmidt’s performance will be critical in deciding the fate of the series. For the Royals, Lugo’s experience and skill on the mound could be the key to securing a lead in this best-of-five showdown. With the stakes at an all-time high, both teams are primed for a thrilling encounter.
Unlock Winning Insights!
As the Yankees and Royals battle it out, make sure you have the best information at your fingertips. Our data packages provide in-depth analysis and statistics that can help you make informed decisions and increase your chances of winning big this season!
Don’t miss out! Click the button below to explore our data packages and elevate your game strategy today!
