The Yankees and Royals are set to meet, offering a chance to see Aaron Judge and Bobby Witt Jr. go head to head. Judge is a back-to-back MVP Award winner, while Witt Jr. finished second in 2024 and fourth in 2025.
Renewing the Royals-Yankees Rivalry
The two clubs will meet this week in Kansas City. Their series opener will be broadcast on ESPN. First pitch is scheduled for 3:40 p.m. ET.
The Royals-Yankees rivalry was renewed in 2024 when they met in the American League Division Series. This was their first postseason matchup since 1980. Their stars went toe-to-toe in the AL MVP race, with Judge’s 58-homer season edging out Witt’s batting title.
Teams Seeking to Turn the Tide
The Yankees had a less successful playoff run in 2025 after reaching the World Series in ’24. The Royals won just 82 games and finished well clear of a Wild Card spot.
The Yankees are once again in contention for a playoff spot. The Royals have some work to do to get back in the picture. Since May 6, New York is 6-11 and the Royals are 5-12.
Both teams are trying to turn this month around. Both are coming off wins on Sunday. The Yankees won via Judge’s walk-off two-run home run against the Rays, which accounted for his first RBIs since May 10, and the Royals won thanks to an eight-run effort against the Mariners’ stingy pitching staff.
Pitching Matchups
On the mound for the Yankees on Monday will be 26-year-old right-hander Will Warren (6-1, 3.61 ERA). He has 62 strikeouts against 13 walks in 52 1/3 innings. Warren’s ERA was inflated by a six-run outing against the Rangers earlier this month.
The Royals will turn to veteran Michael Wacha (4-2, 2.70 ERA). Wacha has also pitched to a 3.12 ERA in 13 career appearances against the Yankees (11 starts). He’s been a source of stability for the rotation in the absence of Cole Ragans (left elbow impingement) and Kris Bubic (left elbow soreness).
The Yankees and Royals will look to continue their momentum as they face off this week.