MLB Prop Bets: New York Yankees vs Kansas City Royals (April 17, 2026)
The Kansas City Royals (7-12) face the New York Yankees (10-9) at Yankee Stadium on Friday at 7:05pm (ET). Let's take a look at the MLB Prop Bets for the matchup. Michael Wacha is the probable pitcher for the Royals, while Cam Schlittler is the probable pitcher for the Yankees. The Yankees are favored to win at -181, while the Royals are at +149. The total runs line is set at 8.5, with OVER at -108 and UNDER at -112.
- The Royals (-143) have a 10-9 Run Line record this season, while the Yankees (+119) hold a record of 8-11.
- The Royals have a 6-12-1 O/U record this season (meaning six games have gone over the total runs line, 12 have gone under and one has resulted in a push). The Yankees have an 8-9-2 O/U record.
Scoring Insights
- The Royals are averaging 3.4 runs per game this season (T26th in the league). Comparatively, the Yankees are averaging +1.1 more at 4.5 runs (13th).
- In the field, the Royals are allowing 4.2 runs per game this season (T11th in the league), while the Yankees are allowing an average of 4.0 runs (T7th).
Let's take a look at how these teams perform in some other key statistical areas.
Batting Insights:
Batting Average
- Looking at their batting averages this season, the Royals are at .222 (ranking 25th in the Major leagues), while the Yankees are batting .214 (27th).
Home Runs
- In terms of total home runs this season, the Yankees have hit 23 (5th in the Major Leagues). Meanwhile, the Royals have managed 15 (T24th).
Runs Batted In
- Finally, looking at their runs batted in, the Royals have recorded 61 RBIs to rank 27th in the MLB this season. Comparatively, the Yankees have recorded 79 RBIs to rank T15th.
Pitching Insights:
Earned Run Average
- The Yankees have an earned run average of 3.68 this season (9th in the Majors), while The Royals have an ERA of 4.08 (17th).
Strikeouts
- Turning our attention to total strikeouts, the Royals have recorded 161 this season, ranking 16th in the MLB. Meanwhile, the Yankees rank T10th for total strikeouts, recording 170.
Opponent Batting Average
- Opponents are batting an average of .236 against the Yankees this season (16th in the Major Leagues). Comparatively, the Royals' opponents are at .237 (17th).
First Innings Moneyline
- Here are their first innings moneyline records in 2026.
| Total | Home | Road | Favorite | Underdog | Neutral | Last 10 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Royals | 1-4-14 | 1-2-7 | 0-2-7 | 1-2-6 | 0-2-8 | 0-0-0 | 1-1-8 |
| Yankees | 7-4-8 | 5-3-2 | 2-1-6 | 6-4-8 | 1-0-0 | 0-0-0 | 3-3-4 |
Lead After Three Innings
- Here are their records after the first three innings in 2026.
| Total | Home | Road | Favorite | Underdog | Neutral | Last 10 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Royals | 7-8-4 | 4-3-3 | 3-5-1 | 3-4-2 | 4-4-2 | 0-0-0 | 4-4-2 |
| Yankees | 10-6-3 | 6-3-1 | 4-3-2 | 9-6-3 | 1-0-0 | 0-0-0 | 4-4-2 |
NRFI/YRFI
- The NRFI is 14-5 in Royals games this season. The Yankees have a 7-12 NRFI record.
Last Time They Met
The Yankees recorded an 1-0 victory over the Royals at Kauffman Stadium when these teams last met on June 12, 2025. Despite being on the wrong side of that result, Nick Loftin did what he could, hitting a home run. The Yankees have now won eight straight against the Royals.
