New York Yankees vs. Kansas City Royals: Odds, pitching matchups

The New York Yankees (69-33, 1st in AL East), return home for the first time in the second half as they finish a four-game series against the Kansas City Royals (39-62, 5th in AL Central), on Sunday afternoon.

After losing five of their first seven games following the All-Star Break, New York has won all three matchups against the Royals. If the Yankees can get the job done on Sunday, it would be their first four game sweep of a series since August of 2020 when they did so against the Boston Red Sox at Yankee Stadium.

Can the Yankees complete the sweep against the Royals? Here are my picks and predictions for this American League matchup with odds powered by Tipico Sportsbook.

Pitching Edge: Yankees

Thursday, 7:05 p.m.: Jameson Taillon vs. Brad Singer

PREDICTION: ROYALS 5, YANKEES 3

RESULT: YANKEES 1, ROYALS 0

Friday, 7:05 p.m.: Gerrit Cole vs. Kris Bubic

PREDICTION: YANKEES 8, ROYALS 2

RESULT: YANKEES 11, ROYALS 5

Saturday, 2:05 p.m.: Nestor Cortesvs. Jonathan Heasley

PREDICTION: YANKEES 7, ROYALS 4

RESULT: YANKEES 8, ROYALS 2

Sunday, 1:35 p.m.: Jordan Montgomery vs. Zack Greinke

In the first game of the Subway Series, Montgomery had his worst start of 2022. The left-hander conceded all four earned runs in the first inning and five total in just 2 1/3 innings of work. It was his shortest outing of the year and the first time he's failed to get to the third inning this season. After going 2-0 with a 3.66 ERA in June, the 29-year-old has fallen off a bit in July. He's lost two of five appearances and has a 4.26 ERA in 25 1/3 innings. Montgomery has surrendered at least three runs in four of his last seven starts. He'd only give up that many twice in two of his 14 starts prior this year.

Greinke was lights out in his first outing since the All-Star Break. The 38-year-old went five innings, surrendered three hits and no runs with five strikeouts in a 7-0 victory over the Angels on July 25. However, he earned a no-decision because Los Angeles scored all seven runs after Greinke left the game. It's the second time in three starts that he didn't give up a run after allowing at least one run in every single appearance this season (13 starts). What should be most concerning for Greinke is his home/road splits this year are mind blowing. In eight starts in Kansas City, he's 3-1 with a 1.65 ERA in 43 2/3 innings. Seems good right? However, his starts on the road have been the complete opposite. Greinke is 0-5 with a 7.38 ERA, .329 OBA and conceded 35 runs in 39 innings in eight starts away from Kauffman Stadium. It's truly remarkable the lopsided difference the 19-year veteran has been when he's not pitching at home this year.

I think we finally see Montgomery get back going here and have little to no trouble against a Royals lineup who currently ranks with the fourth fewest runs scored in the league (386) and have scored only seven runs in three games. I'm on the Yankees again in this Sunday matinee as they complete the four game sweep against the Royals.

I'd place a wager on the Yankees moneyline (-390), to cover the 1.5 run line (-130) and the under 8.5 total runs scored at -108 on Tipico Sportsbook.

PREDICTION: YANKEES 5, ROYALS 1