The New York Yankees (40-25) are heading to Kansas City to take on the Royals (34-33) in a crucial American League clash on Thursday, June 12, 2025, at 7:40 PM EDT at Kauffman Stadium, Kansas City, MO. This game showcases two strong teams with different strengths, setting the stage for an exciting matchup that could have playoff consequences.
Starting Pitchers
New York Yankees: Clarke Schmidt (2-3, 4.04 ERA)
Schmidt’s season has been a bit of a rollercoaster, but he’s still an important piece of the Yankees’ rotation. His 4.04 ERA shows some ups and downs, yet he can effectively minimize damage with his fastball-slider mix. To help the Yankees secure a win, Schmidt must manage the Royals’ lineup and prevent runners from getting on base.
Kansas City Royals: Kris Bubic (5-3, 1.43 ERA)
Bubic has really stood out this season with an impressive 1.43 ERA, ranking him among the best pitchers in the league. His ability to limit runs and managing the Yankees’ powerful offense will be key. With his command and variety of pitches, Bubic gives Kansas City a solid shot at handling New York’s batters.
Key Players to Watch
New York Yankees
Aaron Judge (RF): The current AL MVP is still on fire in 2025, driving the Yankees’ offense. Judge is hitting over .300 with several home runs and RBIs, particularly strong against lefties. His power and skills in driving runs make him the Yankees’ biggest threat and a key player in their lineup.
Gerrit Cole (SP: Cole being in the bullpen or possibly moving into the rotation gives the Yankees’ pitching lineup more strength. He’s still a powerhouse with an impressive strikeout rate.
Giancarlo Stanton (RF): Another seasoned power hitter who can turn the game around with a single swing. Stanton’s experience and hitting prowess enhance Judge’s offensive strength.
Kansas City Royals
Bobby Witt Jr. (SS): The Royals’ standout shortstop keeps impressing with a strong batting average of about .291, along with eight home runs and 37 RBIs. Witt’s mix of power and speed turns him into a danger at the plate and on the bases.
Maikel Garcia (3B): Garcia boasts a 140 wRC+ (weighted runs created plus), making him one of the rare Royals hitters who is above the league average. His ability to get on base and bringing in runs is crucial for Kansas City’s offense.
Vinnie Pasquantino (1B): Another important player with a 111 wRC+, Pasquantino brings power and run production to the heart of the Royals lineup.
Tactical Matchup
Yankees’ Approach: Look for New York to come out strong against Bubic, aiming to take advantage of any errors. With a deep lineup, they can create runs through both power and smart hitting. Schmidt has to concentrate on his control to prevent the Royals’ batters from getting free passes.
Royals’ Strategy: Kansas City is counting on Bubic to lead the way and silence the Yankees’ hitters. On the offensive side, they plan to use Witt Jr.’s speed and power, plus help from Garcia and Pasquantino, to score runs off Schmidt.
Betting Insights
The Yankees have the edge with odds of about $1.83, whereas the Royals are seen as underdogs at $2.01.
The total runs over/under is around 8.9, with a bit of a tilt towards the under because of the anticipated strong pitching performances.
Aaron Judge is a solid pick for prop bets on RBIs, especially considering how well he performs against lefties like the Royals’ Noah Cameron.
This game is expected to be a tight and competitive showdown. Advanced simulations indicate that both teams have nearly equal chances, but the Yankees have a slight advantage thanks to their strong offense and overall team strength.
Sports Betting Ace’s Final Score Prediction: Yankees 5, Royals 3
The Yankees’ skills in getting clutch hits and Aaron Judge’s ongoing power at the plate will be crucial. On the other hand, Kris Bubic’s solid pitching will help the Royals stay competitive, but the depth of the Yankees’ lineup is likely to win out.