Kansas City Royals vs New York Yankees Prediction: Two Solid Starters Duel In the Bronx
Updated July 9, 2026
The Kansas City Royals head to the Bronx on Friday night to open a series against the New York Yankees, with both teams looking to right the ship after some recent struggles. Kansas City enters at 7-12 after a tough series in Detroit, while New York sits at 9-8 but is coming off a rough stretch that included a lopsided defeat to the Angels in their last outing. Before the first pitch is thrown in the Bronx, continue reading to find my Royals vs Yankees prediction on the diamond.
This game revolves around two right-handers who have been among the most efficient arms in the American League so far. Wacha has been nearly flawless, allowing just 10 hits and posting a microscopic WHIP of 0.71. He has relied on command and weak contact rather than overpowering hitters, though 17 strikeouts in 21 innings still shows plenty of swing-and-miss stuff from him.
Schlittler, meanwhile, has arguably been even more impressive. His 30 strikeouts to just 1 walk stand out immediately, signaling elite control and dominance on the hill. His 2.49 ERA and 0.74 WHIP have also been impressive, and he has yet to allow a home run this season. Against a Royals lineup that has struggled to produce runs, this sets up as a favorable spot for Schlittler.
This game shapes up as a pitcher’s duel for at least the first five innings. Wacha has been nearly untouchable, but the Royals lineup behind him has not provided enough support, ranking near the bottom in several offensive categories. That lack of run production becomes a major concern against a pitcher like Schlittler, who has displayed elite command and swing-and-miss ability. As a result, I'll take the under in this contest from the Bronx.
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