Yankees vs. Royals – ALDS Game 3
American League Division Series moves to Kauffman Stadium for Game 3 on Wednesday. After over a week of handling their postseason journey on the road, the Royals are eager to savor some home-field advantage.
“We’re excited to get back to the K and see our fans,” said left-hander Cole Ragans. “It’s going to be great to have playoff baseball back in Kansas City. Getting a split [in New York] was big. It’s like starting fresh when we get to the K.”
With Kansas City’s 4-2 win in Monday’s Game 2, the best-of-five ALDS is now down to a best-of-three. The Royals enjoyed a cheerful flight back home, but the Yankees, who led the AL with 94 regular-season wins, aren’t backing down just yet.
“That’s what we’ve been demonstrating all season,” said Juan Soto. “I think we can do that at any time. As a team, we’ve been doing this since Day 1. I have confidence in my teammates, whether they’re coming up to bat or pitching. We know what we have.”
When is the game and how can I watch it?
Game 3 is airing live right now on TBS, truTV, and Max.
In the U.S., all games are available on MLB.TV (authentication with a participating Pay TV provider is required). Live games are also accessible in select countries outside the U.S. For full details, visit MLB.TV.
Who are the starting pitchers?
Yankees: Clarke Schmidt will be making his first career postseason start (and fourth appearance) after finishing the season with a 5-5 record and a 2.85 ERA over 16 starts. Although a right lat strain interrupted his season, Schmidt returned in early September, posting a 3.65 ERA over his final five starts. He did not pitch against the Royals during the regular season.
Royals: Seth Lugo will start Game 3, looking to build on his solid postseason debut in the Wild Card Series, where he gave up just one run over 4 1/3 innings against the Orioles. Lugo, Kansas City’s No. 2 starter, enters the postseason with a 3.00 ERA from the regular season and a 3.36 ERA at Kauffman Stadium in his first year as a Royal. With the Royals hosting their first home postseason game since 2015, they feel confident in the veteran Lugo, who allowed only four runs over 14 innings in two starts against the Yankees this year.
What are the starting lineups?
Yankees With right-hander Seth Lugo on the mound for Kansas City, the Yankees are using a lineup similar to the one they deployed against Michael Wacha in Game 1.
1. Gleyber Torres, 2B
2. Juan Soto, RF
3. Aaron Judge, CF
4. Austin Wells, C
5. Giancarlo Stanton, DH
6. Jazz Chisholm Jr., 3B
7. Anthony Volpe, SS
8. Oswaldo Cabrera, 1B
9. Alex Verdugo, LF
Royals: With the Yankees starting right-hander Clarke Schmidt, the Royals have returned to their early postseason lineup with a small adjustment. Lefty Michael Massey is back in the leadoff spot, while right-hander Maikel Garcia has been moved down to seventh in the order, instead of ninth. Outfielders Hunter Renfroe and Tommy Pham have limited experience against Schmidt—Renfroe has had the better results—but Adam Frazier will make his 2024 playoff debut in right field.
1. Michael Massey, 2B
2. Bobby Witt Jr., SS
3. Vinnie Pasquantino, DH
4. Salvador Perez, C
5. Yuli Gurriel, 1B
6. MJ Melendez, LF
7. Maikel Garcia, 3B
8. Adam Frazier, RF
9. Kyle Isbel, CF
How will the bullpens line up after the starter?
Yankees: The Yankees’ bullpen should be fully stocked again, thanks to Tuesday’s off-day. In Game 2, Clay Holmes and Tommy Kahnle had the heaviest workloads, each throwing only 19 pitches. The bullpen combined to deliver 5 1/3 scoreless innings.
Royals: The Royals continue to rely on the same relievers, but they should all be available for Game 3 due to Tuesday’s off-day. Kris Bubic threw just 22 pitches over two scoreless innings on Monday and hadn’t pitched since last Wednesday, so he should be good to go. Closer Lucas Erceg, who threw 14 pitches in the ninth inning on Monday, is also ready to contribute.
Any injuries of note?
Yankees: The Yankees completed Game 2 without any issues. Anthony Rizzo (two fractured fingers on his right hand) and left-hander Nestor Cortes (left elbow flexor strain) are not expected to return until at least a potential AL Championship Series. Infielder DJ LeMahieu (right hip impingement) is also working to become a playoff option.
Royals: The Royals didn’t incur any new injuries in Game 2, so they should be ready for Game 3. Injured relievers Will Smith and Chris Stratton were left off the postseason roster but are continuing their rehab with the team to stay prepared in case they’re needed.
Who is hot and who is not?
Yankees: Gleyber Torres has been getting on base in the first two ALDS games, recording two walks in each contest. Austin Wells has hit safely in both of his postseason games. Aaron Judge went 1-for-3 with a walk but has struggled lately, batting just 9-for-63 (.143) with three home runs and 24 strikeouts over his last 16 postseason games.
Royals: The offense is finally heating up after a cold spell at the end of the regular season and into October, but the Royals need their stars to start contributing: Bobby Witt Jr. and Vinnie Pasquantino have yet to register a hit in the ALDS. Salvador Perez hit a home run in Game 2, suggesting he may be finding his rhythm again. With Witt and Pasquantino struggling, Kansas City’s role players are stepping up.
Maikel Garcia had a standout night with four hits on Monday, while Garrett Hampson is making a case for the nickname “Mr. October,” racking up three RBIs in two games so far. The Royals will need everyone to elevate their game if they hope to out-hit the Yankees.
Anything else fans might want to know?
Both teams have enjoyed off-days between each game so far, but that won’t be the case between Games 3 and 4 on Wednesday and Thursday. This could alter how each manager approaches bullpen management. Both teams have already confirmed their Game 4 starters: Michael Wacha will pitch for Kansas City, while Gerrit Cole will take the mound for New York.
The Royals haven’t played at Kauffman Stadium since September 22, when they wrapped up a six-game homestand against the Tigers and Giants without a win. A lot has transpired since then, and now they’re returning home for their first postseason game at The K since 2015.
Kansas City and New York faced off seven times this season, with the Yankees coming out on top in five of those matchups. The Yankees won three out of four games in Kansas City from June 10-13, avoiding a sweep thanks to Garcia’s two-run walk-off double off Clay Holmes. In the Bronx from September 9-11, New York took two of three, highlighted by Chisholm’s walk-off single in the 11th inning of the series finale.
Overall, the Yankees finished the season with a 24-7 record against the AL Central, which includes the three remaining AL playoff teams: the Royals, Tigers, and Guardians.
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