
BRONX, NY — Two of three wins from the Royals and the Yankees took a leap over the Orioles in their battle for the American League East division that will likely come down the final week of the season. The Royals, also in a postseason race for an AL wild card, will take a series loss and focus on what’s next.
A Kansas City Royals team that gets on base, uses their base running skills, and overall with respective pitching also came out of this series knowing the Yankees could be a potential postseason opponent. It took 11-innings Wednesday night in the Bronx and the Yankees took the rubber game with a 4-3 win.
Jazz wins it in extras for the Yankees! pic.twitter.com/OUt4ze7gDr
— Latino Sports (@LatinoSports) September 12, 2024
Then again, this has been a baseball season where dominance doesn’t exist, no team is bound to win 100 ball games, bullpens have been taxed and this series finale provided a good preview of what could be in October.
What came out this series is the Royals’ Bobby Witt Jr, and the Yankees’ Aaron Judge, two of the premiere offensive players in baseball. Witt with speed and the ability to change the complexion of a game with his stolen base ability. And of course Judge with his AL leading 51 home runs, though again failed to hit one in this series. He hasn’t added to the total since hitting the 51st against the Rockies on August 25.
Nothing is wrong with Judge even though the hits have been hard to come. Then again perennial home run hitters have their streaks but as the remaining games dwindle any chance to surpass his AL season record total of 62 is unrealistic.

Aaron Judge has yet to homer in the month of September – Image Credit: Bill Menzel/Latino Sports
And with exception of Seth Lugo and seven scoreless innings Tuesday night this was more of the bullpen type of series, possibly what the Yankees and Royals can provide in a potential October matchup. Royals starting pitching ranked second in baseball with a 3.54 ERA entering the finale of this three-game series.
“This is a big series win for us against a really good club over there that threw a lot of good pitching at us,” Yankees manager Aaron Boone said.

Aaron Boone takes a mound visit during 2024 regular season contest in the Bronx – Image Credit: Bill Menzel/Latino Sports
Boone also got the innings from Luis Gil (five innings, one run, five hits), his second start since coming off the injured list. Gil was effective, got the Yankees to the pen, and further made a cause to be considered in a possible postseason rotation.
And Juan Soto reached the 100 RBI plateau, a go-ahead home run (39) in the sixth inning, a foul pitch before hitting his right ankle. But Soto shook it off like a fighter coming off the canvas after taking a right to the body.
The Generational. @JuanSoto25_ 🔥 pic.twitter.com/PQeYM5K9ux
— New York Yankees (@Yankees) September 12, 2024
But some of the Royals believe the Yankees are not any better than them, though losing two-of-three will say otherwise. And if Jazz Chisholm Jr. does not come up big with an infield single in the 11th, we could still be talking about who is the better team going into October.
The Royals also have Salvador Pérez who hit a tying sacrifice fly in the seventh, the veteran and possibly heading again to an October postseason. He had an impact in this series, surpassing 100 RBI on the season for the second time in his career, and excels when the time is right which of course is October baseball.
RBI No. 💯 for the Captain! pic.twitter.com/zoMjKM7H49
— Kansas City Royals (@Royals) September 11, 2024
Much more to decipher with this series, but it was a good one that had a bit of everything. And until they meet again, which is possible the Yankees and Royals will have an opportunity to play more significant baseball.
Royals manager Matt Quatraro said it was a tight game and well pitched on both sides. The Yankees won the season series but a possible meeting again in October is more important to win.
Rich Mancuso is senior writer and contributor to Latinosports.com – X (Twitter): @Ring786, Facebook.com/Rich Mancuso
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