MLB Odds: Yankees Host Royals With Playoffs in Mind

It’s almost a given the New York Yankees (63-35, plus-5.05 betting units) will make the playoffs this year. But they’ll need to beef up if they want to improve their World Series chances. The Yankees could have some reinforcements in the lineup by the time they host the Kansas City Royals (30-69, minus-27.51 units) this Thursday. First pitch is at 7:05 PM ET on the MLB Network.

At press time, the Yankees are +500 third favorites on the World Series futures market, but those odds should improve if they make big enough trades before the July 31 non-waiver deadline. The Royals, on the other hand, are likely sellers this year; 3B Mike Moustakas (.770 OPS) is their biggest trading chip at the moment.

Assuming they’re still with their current teams on Thursday, Sonny Gray (5.34 ERA) is projected to start for the Yankees opposite Jakob Junis (5.03 ERA) in a battle of struggling northpaws. Gray has pitched better than his ERA would suggest, but remains 5.19 units in the hole on a team record of 9-10. The Royals are 8-10 behind Junis – making his second start since coming off the DL – for a slim profit of 0.51 units.

MLB Odds: Royals-Yankees in the Bronx

The New York Yankees (63-35, plus-5.05 betting units) could have a new look by the time they host the Kansas City Royals (30-69, minus-27.51 units) this Thursday at 7:05 PM ET on the MLB Network. The July 31 non-waiver trade deadline is almost here, and the Bombers need a boost if they want to keep up in the stacked American League.

Unless they get traded, Sonny Gray (5.34 ERA) is expected to start for New York opposite Jakob Junis (5.03 ERA); unlike the Yankees, Kansas City is expected to shed talent at the trade deadline in exchange for future prospects.