NEW YORK, NY - AUGUST 6: Stephen Ridings #70 of the New York Yankees pitches against the Seattle Mariners during the third inning at Yankee Stadium on August 6, 2021 in New York City. (Photo by Adam Hunger/Getty Images)
The Yankees couldn’t feel terribly confident in their offense entering their series with the Kansas City Royals, especially after losing multiple key pieces like Anthony Rizzo, Gary Sánchez and Gleyber Torres.
They’ve done nothing but survive and advance in recent weeks, though, and the expectation was that would continue against a well-under-.500 Royals team.