The New York Yankees will be well-rested, hopefully not too well-rested, when they host the Kansas City Royals tonight in game 1 of the ALDS. New York had the best record in the American League, at 94-68, and were 44-37 in the Bronx. Kansas City finished the regular season with a record of 86-76 and took care of business in the AL Wild Card series, sweeping Baltimore and allowing only one run over the two games. Tonight’s expected starters are Michael Wacha for the Royals and Geritt Cole for the Yankees. Wacha had a good regular season, posting a record of 13-8 with a 3.35 ERA and a 1.19 WHIP. After a slow start due to injury, the reigning AL Cy Young winner Cole found his command. The Yankee ace finished the season with a record of 8-5, a 3.41 ERA and a 1.13 WHIP. In his last turn of the season against the Baltimore Orioles, Cole was throwing flames. He allowed only two hits and no runs over 6-2/3 innings, and the Yankees cruised to a 10-1 blowout. Cole has also had success in his career against Kansas City. He is 4-1 with a 2.77 ERA, 65 punchouts, and the Bombers were 5-2 this year against the Royals.
TONIGHT’S PICK: NEW YORK YANKEES