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MLB betting: Royals vs. Yankees odds, picks, predictions for Thu. 6/13

Originally posted on Action Network | By Tony Sartori | Last updated Jun 12, 2024 11:40 PM ET

Let's dive into the Royals vs. Yankees odds and make a prediction in our Thursday MLB betting preview for June 13.

Royals vs. Yankees odds for Thursday have the Yankees as -155 moneyline favorites with an over/under of 10.5 (-110o/ -110u) for the matchup at Kauffman Stadium. For my Royals vs. Yankees prediction, I will be looking at a different market — I see value on New York's run line.

Left-hander Nestor Cortes takes the mound for New York, while Kansas City hands the ball to right-hander Alec Marsh.

See how I think Royals vs. Yankees will play out in my MLB betting preview.

Royals vs. Yankees Odds

Wednesday, June 12, 2:10 p.m. ET, MLB Network

Royals Odds
Moneyline	Total	Run Line
+130	10.5 -105/-105	+1.5 -120

Yankees Odds
Moneyline	Total	Run Line
-155	10.5 -105/-105	-1.5 +100

Odds via FanDuel. Get up-to-the-minute MLB odds here.

Kansas City Royals

Marsh's underlying metrics are terrible as the right-hander ranks in the 21st percentile or lower in xERA, xBA, average exit velocity, barrel rate and hard-hit rate. Therefore, despite an unsustainably strong start to the campaign, Marsh has come crashing back to reality recently.

He is 1-2 over his past three starts with a fade-worthy 7.41 ERA and a 1.41 WHIP. That lack of success is likely to continue against New York, a team Marsh is 0-2 against through two career meetings with a 7.45 ERA and a 1.66 WHIP.

Following the right-hander is a bullpen that ranks in the bottom 10 of the league in ERA, FIP and xFIP. While Kansas City possesses a strong lineup, it falls short of New York's in runs scored per game, hits per game, BA, OBP, SLG, OPS and home runs.

New York Yankees

Speaking of New York's lineup, it's likely to tee off on Marsh. Through 29 combined career plate appearances against the right-hander, this current Yankees lineup boasts a .333 BA, a .667 SLG and a .430 wOBA.

Not to keep hounding on how good this lineup is, but it ranks in the top seven of the league in runs scored per game, hits per game, BA, OBP, SLG, OPS and home runs.

That lineup shouldn't have to do too much damage as Cortes has been strong on the mound this year. Through 14 starts, he boasts a 3.68 ERA and a 1.12 WHIP.

His underlying metrics are even stronger as he sports a 3.30 xERA and a .231 xBA. Following Cortes is one of the best relief staffs in baseball, which ranks third in ERA.

Royals vs. Yankees

Betting Pick & Prediction

New York is simply the better team across the board:

Cortes outranks Marsh in ERA, WHIP, xERA, xBA and barrel rate.
The Yankees' bullpen outranks the Royals' in ERA, FIP and xFIP.
New York's lineup outranks Kansas City's in runs scored per game, hits per game, BA, OBP, SLG, OPS and home runs.

The only "advantage" the Royals possess is that they are playing this game on their home diamond. However, New York's .703 road win percentage paces Kansas City's .645 home win percentage.