Game 131 Open Thread: New York Yankees (67-62) vs. Kansas City Royals (68-62)

The Royals will have a chance to go head-to-head with fellow Wild Card contenders in a six-game homestand this week against the Yankees and Tigers. The Yankees sit just a half game behind the Royals, despite being sellers at the deadline and trading away slugger Carlos Beltran, relievers Andrew Miller and Aroldis Chapman, and starting pitcher Ivan Nova. But an infusion of young talent from slugger Aaron Judge and the insanely hot catcher Gary Sanchez has given the Yankees the lift they need to hang around the Wild Card race.

Dillon Gee has been serviceable in his last two starts, giving four runs in 12 1/3 innings, but he always seems like he is on the brink of disaster. Ned Yost would be wise to have a quick hook on him this evening. That makes it all the more curious that Matt Strahm was left in for multiple innings for a late Sunday evening game, as he will certainly be unavailable tonight.

Yankees starter Michael Pineda has had trouble with the long ball, but not so much on the road, as just 6 of his 22 home runs allowed have come away from Yankee Stadium. He has had a high ERA, but has pitched much better than those numbers would suggest. He is seventh in the league in strikeouts with 10.2 whiffs per nine innings.

Here's what's on tap tonight as your scoreboard-watch.

Peter Moylan has a request of you. COME OUT TO THE GAME!

Heading home!! Lets fill the K and keep this rolling!! #baseballisfun

— Peter Moylan (@PeterMoylan) August 29, 2016

Your lineups:

#Royals - Yankees opener. pic.twitter.com/kXNlVuODBZ

— Josh Vernier (@JoshVernier610) August 29, 2016