Series Preview: The Royals & The Yankees

Sep 4, 2014; Bronx, NY, USA; New York Yankees douse third baseman Chase Headley (12) with Gatorade in celebration of his walk off home run during the ninth inning against the Boston Red Sox at Yankee Stadium. New York Yankees won 5-4. Mandatory Credit: Anthony Gruppuso-USA TODAY Sports

Series Overview

What was once one of the most intense and fiercest rivalries in all of baseball decades ago, has been in hibernation mode for the past 25 years or so. The New York Yankees and Kansas City Royals starting this year, could be in the process of renewing that rivalry that say classic match-ups between players such as Goose Gossage, George Brett, Graig Nettles, and of course, Chris Chambliss. During their heyday, these teams HATED one another, as brawls, shoving matches, and the contested games made this series always one to watch.

Well, starting tonight in the Bronx, both teams are staring the postseason square in the face. The Royals have surprised many, and have given their AL Central rivals, the Detroit Tigers, everything they could possibly handle, and have sat in first place in the division quite a bit this summer. In the process, their one-game lead on the Tigers, has re-energized a fan base that has longed for the days of baseball that matters in September and October.

For the Yankees, the days are growing shorter, as is their chances to make the playoffs in Derek Jeter‘s final season. The Bombers are done in terms of chasing down the first place Baltimore Orioles, as the Blackbirds hold a 9 1/2 game lead over the second place Yankees with only 20 games to play heading into Friday night’s match-ups. The Yankees remain four games back for the second and final Wild Card spot, currently occupied by the…Tigers!

The Yankees could do themselves a huge favor this weekend, by hammering the Royals, and if the Tigers take care of business or lose, the AL Central and the final Wild Card spot is anyone’s to snatch. There is just over 3 weeks left to play, and after last night’s dramatic walk-off win against the Boston Red Sox, the Yankees hope this is the momentum that has evaded them all season long. Let’s take a closer look at each game of the weekend series!