A dramatic ninth-inning comeback carried the Yankees (32-22) to a series-opening win yesterday. Now, New York will hope to earn a third straight victory on Tuesday night. Opposing the Pinstripes will be the Royals (22-32), looking to claw their way back into the AL Central race. Can Kansas City earn a massive upset this evening at home?

The Yankees are favorites (-199) over the Royals, with the over/under set at 8.5 runs. Below, I’ve laid out my preview, prediction, and best bet for Tuesday’s showdown between New York and Kansas City on DraftKings Sportsbook.

Yankees vs. Royals prediction, preview

Earning a win this evening could prove difficult for Kansas City. Cam Schlittler has already established himself as one of the best hurlers in all of baseball. Through 66.0 innings of work, the right-hander has notched an American League-best 1.50 ERA and 0.86 WHIP in addition to 75 strikeouts (10.2 K/9). A quick look at the 25-year-old’s Savant page is nothing short of jaw-dropping. Schlittler ranks inside the top 90th percentile in xERA (2.59), fastball velocity (97.7 MPH), chase rate (37.1%), strikeout rate (29.6%) and walk rate (5.1%). He has yet to allow more than three earned runs in any start this season.

Add it all up, and runs could be difficult to come by for the Royals. It doesn’t help that this offense is averaging the sixth-fewest runs per game in baseball. Face of the franchise Bobby Witt Jr. has been his usual dominant self. Outside of that, there aren’t many standouts on this roster. Among Kansas City batters with more than 100 plate appearances this season, Witt is the only one with a wRC+ above 100. The Royals have scored 29 runs over their last ten games, second-lowest in baseball during that time. When these teams met on April 17th, Schlittler held KC scoreless over six frames.

In order to win this one, the Royals will likely need to keep pace with the formidable Schlittler. That could prove difficult for tonight’s starter, Bailey Falter. The former Pirates pitcher has struggled during his brief time in Kansas City. Over 7.1 innings this season, he’s on the hook for a 9.82 ERA, 2.86 WHIP (!!!) and six strikeouts (7.4 K/9). Granted, he’s only made four appearances so far; it’s too early to write the left-hander off completely. Falter has favored his fastball, throwing it on 61% of his pitches so far. That number is somewhat surprising, considering his four-seamer tops out at around 92 MPH.

If there was ever a time to face this Yankees lineup, it would be now. The Bronx Bombers have been in a rut at the plate. Over their last ten games, the team has only managed to put up 35 runs. That’s the ninth-lowest mark in the majors during that stretch. New York also tends to do worse away from home, averaging nearly two runs per game fewer on the road. Regardless, a soft-tossing southpaw seems like an ideal matchup. The Pinstripes have posted an American League-best .786 OPS against lefties this season. When Falter last faced the Yankees, in April of 2025 with Pittsburgh, he surrendered seven earned runs over 4.0 innings.

Yankees vs. Royals pick, best bet

Facing Schlittler already makes this an uphill climb for the light-hitting Royals. Handing the ball off to a still-rusty Falter might make things even worse. The Yankees, for all their recent hitting woes, tend to exploit inferior pitching. Don’t be shocked if the visitors put up a crooked number or two on Tuesday.

Best Bet: Yankees -1.5 (-124)