Series Preview: The Royals & The Yankees

Sep 3, 2014; Bronx, NY, USA; New York Yankees first baseman Mark Teixeira (25) greets New York Yankees catcher Brian McCann (34) at the plate after scoring on his home run in the second inning against the Boston Red Sox at Yankee Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Noah K. Murray-USA TODAY Sports

Players To Watch

Eyes should be focused on Yankees’ catcher Brian McCann. He had a 4-for-4 night against Boston, and needs to be a force if the Yankees are going to win this series. He has limited success against Friday’s starter, James Shields, going 3-for-10 with a pair of RBI. If his bat continues to stay hot, the Yankees are in a pretty good position.

Mark Teixeira needs a big series as well. He’s been banged up all season, but with only three weeks to go in the regular season, you put your aches and pains aside, and do what you need to do to win. Tex has been one of the more vocal Yankees about his teammates failures at the plate this season. He leads the team in home runs and runs driven in, and is as slick with the leather as he’s ever been. As the primary force in the middle of the Bombers’ lineup, he has to drive in runs with runners on base. A 2-for-18 series will most likely mean the Yankees lose 2 of 3 or even get swept.

For the Royals, it’s all about Billy Butler and Alex Gordon. The Royals have been playing excellent baseball most of the summer, but Butler is struggling in his free agent walk year. He’s only hit 9 home runs, but has hit the Yankees extremely well over his career. In 127 career at bats, he’s hitting .299 with 3 home runs, 19 RBI, and has an OPS of .806.

Gordon is having another solid year at the plate. He’s currently hitting .279 with 19 bombs and 65 driven in for the first place Royals. In over 100 plate appearances, he’s hitting .290 against the Yankees, with 11 doubles and 10 driven in. If he and Butler get on a roll in the Bronx, it could be a long weekend for the Yankees pitching staff start to finish.