Once upon a time we saw this matchup in the playoffs almost every year; indeed, fout times in the ALCS between 1976-80. The only break came in 1979 (when it was Orioles vs. Angels); the Yanks won in 1976-77-78, and the Royals in '80, doing so in an emphatic sweep, highlighted by a George Brett homer in Game 3, to gain partial revenge for those other losses in the mid-to-late '70s, especially the '76 and '77 renewals which went the distance, and the Yanks scoring in the 9th innings to win the decisive Game 5s in 1976 & '77. Underestimate the Royals at your own peril, pitching was brilliant in the Wild Card Round vs. the Orioles, and Michael Wacha was a season-long pleasant surprise for KC with his 13-8 record and 3.35 ERA. Wacha was still throwing hard in September when he posted a 2.60 ERA in five starts. Note Gerrit Cole's numbers were not appreciably better than Wacha's this season, especially at Yankee Stadium, where Cole posted a 4.31 ERA this season. Play Royals on Money Line