The Kansas City Royals hit the Big Apple for a three-game set with the New York Yankees beginning Monday, April 14.
My top Royals vs. Yankees predictions and MLB picks are calling for crooked numbers on the scoreboard with New York righty Carlos Carrasco struggling to start the 2025 campaign.
Royals vs Yankees prediction
My Royals vs Yankees best bet: Over 9 (-105 at Caesars)
The New York Yankees are sending out Carlos Carrasco for another start, and the 38-year-old righty has been hit hard to start the 2025 campaign. He’s allowed four homers through just 11 2/3 innings, and opposing hitters are sporting an eye-popping 48.7% hard-hit rate and 20.5 barrel percentage.
Carrasco’s velocity is also down to start the season, and he’s allowing a healthy 83.5 contact percentage while inducing swinging strikes at a miniscule 8.3% clip.
The Kansas City Royals should have success at the dish with Carrasco serving up meatballs, and they’re also ripe for statistical correction against righties.
After posting a middle-of-the-pack .313 wOBA and .311 on-base percentage against right-handed arms last season, the Royals are down to respective .266 and .274 marks to start 2025. It can largely be chalked up to an unsustainably low .259 BABIP against righties.
New York also stands to have success against Royals righty Seth Lugo. The Bronx Bombers sport a third-ranked .349 wOBA and .209 ISO against righties, and they’ve averaged 6.3 runs per game.
Make no mistake, Lugo is solid and sports a tidy 3.24 ERA dating back to 2023, but he’s also out pitched his underlying 3.80 xFIP and a road start at hitter-friendly Yankee Stadium is anything up a walk in the park.
Caesars QuickPick: Our Royals vs Yankees same-game parlay (SGP)
Over 9
Vinnie Pasquantino Over 0.5 RBI
Ben Rice Over 0.5 runs
This is a plus-matchup for Royals first baseman Vinnie Pasquantino. He bats third in the lineup and has already picked up 11 RBI through 15 games. Pasquantino sports a solid .332 wOBA against right-handed pitchers since 2023, and I also value that he rarely strikes out (11.5 K%). Hitting behind Bobby Witt Jr. and his .395 on-base percentage against righties dating back to last year is a boon, too.
Turning to the final leg of this same-game parlay, Yankees leadoff man Ben Rice has been solid to start the campaign with a .411 OBP and 11 runs through 14 games. His 5.14 OBP against righties paces baseball, and it’s supported by a third-ranked 22.9 BB%.
Of course, American League MVP candidate Aaron Judge has already plated 20 runs hitting in the three-hole behind Rice.
Learn how to bet a same-game parlay with these helpful tips and strategies.
Double your winnings for 10 separate bets at Caesars
Sign up for a Caesars account — using our exclusive promo code BASEBALLDYW — and get 10x profit boost tokens worth 100% each!
Register now to collect your Double your winning tokens, or learn more with our comprehensive Caesars Sportsbook review.
Royals vs Yankees odds
Royals vs Yankees live odds
Royals vs Yankees opening odds
- Moneyline: Kansas City +119 | New York -131
- Run line: Kansas City +1.5 | New York -1.5
- Over/Under: Over 8.5 | Under 8.5
Odds courtesy of Caesars.
Royals vs Yankees trend
The Yankees have hit the Over in 98 of their last 176 games (+19.45 Units / 10% ROI). Find more MLB betting trends for Royals vs. Yankees.
How to watch Royals vs Yankees and game info
| Location | Yankee Stadium, Bronx, NY |
| Date | Monday, 4-14-2025 |
| First pitch | 7:05 p.m. ET |
| TV | MLBN |
| Royals starting pitcher | Seth Lugo (1-1, 3.24 ERA) |
| Yankees starting pitcher | Carlos Carrasco (1-1, 7.71 ERA) |
Royals vs Yankees latest injuries
Royals vs Yankees weather
Not intended for use in MA.
Affiliate Disclosure: Our team of experts has thoroughly researched and handpicked each product that appears on our website. We may receive compensation if you sign up through our links.
