**Yankees and Royals Set for First Playoff Series in 44 Years**

The Kansas City Royals clinched their spot in the American League Division Series (ALDS) with a narrow 2-1 victory over the Baltimore Orioles, setting up a long-awaited playoff face-off against the New York Yankees, who boast the best lineup in the league. This series marks the first time the Yankees and Royals will meet in the playoffs in over four decades.

Kansas City’s success came despite having the 20th-ranked offense in baseball, only managing three runs in their Wild Card win. The Yankees, on the other hand, nearly led the league in hitting, finishing just behind the Dodgers in weighted runs created plus (wRC+). Their potent offense will be crucial in countering Kansas City's strong pitching performances, a trademark of their recent success.

Decisions loom for the Royals' Game 1 starter between Michael Wacha and Brady Singer. While Wacha was initially earmarked for a potential Game 3 against Baltimore, Singer's higher ground-ball rates might be advantageous against the Yankees' power hitters. Cole Ragans is set for Game 2, and Seth Lugo will take the mound for Game 3 back in Kansas City.

For the Yankees, ace Gerrit Cole will start on Saturday, with a lineup that will have to contend with Royals’ stars Bobby Witt Jr. and Salvador Perez. Witt Jr. is considered one of the best all-around players in baseball, making it essential for the Yankees to keep him off the bases. Perez continues to be a significant power threat, a factor Cole must be wary of given his susceptibility to home runs.

On the other side of the ALDS, the Cleveland Guardians will face off against the Detroit Tigers, who pulled off their own upset by defeating the Houston Astros. The Yankees will have a week of rest before heading to Kansas City for Games 3 and 4, where Witt Jr. has notably excelled at home with a 202 wRC+ compared to a 134 on the road.

Yankees' pitching rotation for the series includes Gerrit Cole, Carlos Rodón, and Luis Gil. Clarke Schmidt will be available in a hybrid role should the need for a fourth starter arise. If the Yankees advance past the ALDS, they would compete in the American League Championship Series against either the Guardians or Tigers, starting on October 14th.

This postseason clash rekindles memories of the intense rivalry between these teams in the late 1970s, when the Yankees and Royals faced off in four consecutive American League Championship Series from 1976 to 1980. As we look to the 2024 showdown, fans can expect an electrifying series with some of the top MVP contenders on display.