Kansas City Royals DVOA, Stats, & MLB Rankings

Kansas City Royals manager Matt Quatraro announced on Tuesday that veteran right-hander Michael Wacha will start Game 4 of the American League Division Series on Thursday at Kauffman Stadium against the New York Yankees. Wacha will be hoping to bounce back against the Yankees at home this time after allowing three earned runs on four hits while walking three and striking out three in four innings in Game 1 on Saturday in the Bronx in a no-decision. The 33-year-old veteran was better at home in 2024 with the Royals, sporting a 2.89 ERA and 1.16 WHIP with 68 strikeouts and 19 walks in 14 innings at Kauffman Stadium, as opposed to a 3.78 ERA and 1.23 WHIP in 15 starts on the road. Wacha has struggled in the playoffs in his career, though, posting a 5.36 ERA with nine home runs allowed in nine appearances (seven starts).

Kansas City Royals starting pitcher Seth Lugo will take the mound for his team's American League Division Series Game 3 matchup at home against the Yankees. The 34-year-old made a solid start against the Orioles in the wild-card series, allowing one run over 4 1/3 innings pitched with one walk and six strikeouts. Lugo was a surprise asset for the Royals and fantasy managers in the regular season, going 16-9 with a 3.00 ERA, a 1.09 WHIP, and a 21.7% strikeout rate in 33 starts and 206 2/3 IP. He pitched deep into both of his regular-season starts against the Yankees, allowing four runs in seven IP with four strikeouts in his first matchup and no runs in seven IP with 10 strikeouts in his second. His regular-season success and his above-average ground-ball rate could make him a useful DFS play despite the tough opponent.

Kansas City Royals third baseman Maikel Garcia acted as an offensive catalyst in Monday's American League Division Series Game 2 4-2 win over the Yankees. Batting in the leadoff spot, Garcia went 4-for-5 with four singles, an RBI, and a strikeout. He also stole his third base of the playoffs. The 24-year-old mostly provided speed in the regular season, slashing .231/.281/.332 with seven home runs, 84 runs scored, 58 RBI, and 37 stolen bases in 626 plate appearances. However, he has provided speed and batting average this postseason, batting .400 in 15 at-bats. The Royals have scored the third-most runs so far in the playoffs, so Garcia offers exposure to that production while hitting at the top of their lineup for DFS leagues.

Kansas City Royals left-hander Cole Ragans (calf) is lined up to start Game 2 of the American League Division Series against the New York Yankees at Yankee Stadium on Monday. Veteran right-hander Michael Wacha will get the opener in Game 1 on Saturday. Ragans was forced from his outing in Game 1 of the Wild-Card series versus the Baltimore Orioles on Tuesday due to left-calf cramping, but he still managed to throw six shutout innings in the victory and will be able to make his next start in the Division Series. Ragans was the Royals' ace in 2024, going 11-9 with a 3.14 ERA, a 1.14 WHIP and 223 strikeouts in 186 1/3 innings over his 32 starts. The 26-year-old southpaw faced the Yankees just once in 2024, picking up a quality start by allowing two earned runs with three walks and seven strikeouts in six innings pitched for a no-decision back on Sept. 11 in the Bronx. Ragans will be facing one of baseball's best offenses, but he has the stuff to shut them down if he's on.

Kansas City Royals right-hander Michael Wacha has been tabbed to start Game 1 of the American League Division Series on Saturday against the New York Yankees at Yankee Stadium. Left-hander Cole Ragans, who dealt with cramping in his calf in his outing against the Baltimore Orioles in Game 1 of the wild-card series on Tuesday, is lined up to start in Game 2 on Monday. Wacha will be opposed by Yankees ace Gerrit Cole. The 33-year-old veteran was solid for the third straight season in his first year with the Royals in 2024, going 13-8 with a 3.35 ERA, a 1.19 WHIP and a 145:45 K:BB in 166 2/3 innings and 29 starts. He's not overpowering but continues to limit hard contact and pitch deep into games. Wacha did not face the Yankees at all this season but wasn't as good on the road, with a 3.78 ERA, a 1.23 WHIP, 77 strikeouts and 26 walks in 85 2/3 innings over 15 starts away from Kauffman Stadium. Wacha won't be a priority DFS sleeper for Saturday's Division Series slate.