New York Yankees vs. Kansas City Royals: Michael King vs. Danny Duffy

Last night’s game was frustrating, wasn’t it? Fortunately, just last week, the series against the Oakland Athletics started in a similar fashion, and the Yankees still managed to squeak out a series win, so we can pump the breaks on the doom and gloom just yet.

Michael King (0-3, 4.08 ERA, 4.15 FIP) will make his fifth start of the season. After getting off to a strong start to 2021 as the last man in the bullpen — he has a 2.29 ERA and 18 K in 19.2 innings — the rookie has struggled since taking Corey Kluber’s spot in the rotation, allowing baserunners at a 1.596 WHIP clip, good for an opponent’s OBP of .380. That said, as Peter noted in the series preview, he is due for some positive regression, as his 4.31 FIP as a starter is a full two runs lower than his 6.32 ERA. Hopefully, that regression began last week, as he allowed only three runs on five hits and two walks against a potent Toronto lineup, and will continue tonight.

Opposing him will be veteran lefty Danny Duffy (4-3, 1.94 ERA, 2.35 FIP), who was activated this morning after being on the injured list since May 12 with a flexor strain. Duffy had gotten off to an incredible start of the season, giving up only 11 runs on 35 hits in 41.2 innings, striking out 48 and walking 12. That said, his final two starts before hitting the IL, while still fairly good, were not at the Jacob deGrom-like level that he began the season at (2 ER in first 30 innings over five starts; 7 ER in 11.2 innings over the last two). Moreover, he has not completed a rehab assignment, but is instead being activated directly, which means that his pitch count is going to be strictly monitored.

After taking a pitch to the shin yesterday, Gio Urshela gets the night off, with DJ LeMahieu manning the hot corner in his place; Rougned Odor replaces LeMahieu at second. Gary Sánchez is back in the starting lineup and Aaron Judge makes his fifth start of the season in center field, allowing both Miguel Andújar and Clint Frazier to have spots in the starting lineup. Hopefully, one of the two will actually string together multiple productive at-bats for a change.

How to watch

Location: Yankee Stadium — Bronx, NY

First pitch: 7:05 pm ET

TV broadcast: YES, Bally Sports Kansas City

Radio broadcast: WFAN 660/101.9 FM, WADO 1280

Online stream: MLB.tv

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