Yankees vs Kansas City Royals Match Player Stats (April 16, 2025)
The April 16, 2025 Yankees vs Kansas City Royals contest went right down to the wire. This 4-3 Yankees win came down to a few key plays and clutch performances that made all the difference.
Judge’s home run, Volpe’s timely double, and some sharp bullpen work pushed the Yankees to victory and completed their three-game sweep of the Royals.
Quick Highlights
- Judge Steps Up: 3-for-3 with game-winning HR, snapping his 10-game power drought
- Clutch Hitting Gap: Yankees batted .429 with RISP compared to Royals’ .200
- Bullpen Difference: Yankees relievers: 3.1 IP, 0 R vs Royals: 2.2 IP, 1 R
- Two-Out Magic: All 4 Yankees RBIs came with two outs
- Turning Point: Garcia caught stealing in 6th inning killed a potential Royals rally
Game Details
| Game Info | Details |
|---|---|
| Final Score | Yankees 4, Royals 3 |
| Date & Venue | April 16, 2025, Yankee Stadium |
| Game Time | 2 hours, 23 minutes |
| Crowd | 43,720 |
| Weather | 48°F, 16 mph wind out to right field |
| Win | Mark Leiter Jr. (NYY, 2-1) |
| Loss | John Schreiber (KC, 1-1) |
| Save | Fernando Cruz (NYY, 1) |
The Yankees completed their three-game sweep of the Royals, a rematch of last season’s American League Division Series. New York has now won 5 straight against Kansas City dating back to their previous regular-season series in 2024.
“That’s the kind of game that builds character,” Yankees manager remarked after the win. “Judge came through when we needed him most, and our bullpen showed why they’re among the best in baseball. Winning close games like this against quality opponents is what championship teams do.”
Table of Contents
Judge’s Game-Changing Day
“I wasn’t trying to do too much in that situation,” Judge explained post-game. “Schreiber is tough, especially on righties. I was just looking for something up in the zone that I could drive. When you’re in a bit of a power drought, sometimes you press too much. Today I just trusted my approach and it paid off.”
Judge has continued his hot start to the 2025 season, similar to what he showed against the Cleveland Guardians earlier this month, where he also came through in big moments.
Offense Breakdown
The hitting stats tell us a lot about why the Yankees pulled out the win.
| Batting Stats | Yankees | Royals |
|---|---|---|
| Runs | 4 | 3 |
| Hits | 8 | 5 |
| Extra-base hits | 4 (3 2B, 1 HR) | 1 (3B) |
| With RISP | 3-for-7 (.429) | 1-for-5 (.200) |
| Walks | 4 | 3 |
| Strikeouts | 9 | 6 |
| Left on base | 8 | 3 |
| Two-out RBIs | 4 | 0 |
KEY DIFFERENCE: The Yankees hit .429 with runners in scoring position while the Royals managed just .200, a huge factor in this one-run game.
TWO-OUT HITS: The Yankees got all four RBIs with two outs, showing they can deliver in pressure situations.
“We pride ourselves on grinding through at-bats with two outs,” Volpe said after delivering his crucial two-run double. “That’s something we work on throughout spring training and the season. Two-out RBIs are often the difference between winning and losing tight games like this.”
This clutch hitting has been a Yankees strength all season, just like we saw against the Los Angeles Angels in their recent series.
Starting Pitcher Comparison
| Stat | CLARKE SCHMIDT (NYY) | KRIS BUBIC (KC) |
|---|---|---|
| Innings | 5.2 | 5.1 |
| Hits Allowed | 4 | 7 |
| Earned Runs | 3 | 3 |
| Walks | 2 | 4 (1 intentional) |
| Strikeouts | 2 | 6 |
| Pitch Count | 73 (46 strikes, 63%) | 94 (61 strikes, 65%) |
| Game ERA | 4.76 | 5.06 |
| Season ERA | 4.79 | 1.98 (before game) |
| GO/FO Ratio | 7/7 | 4/3 |
| Neither starter factored into the decision, both left with the game tied 3-3 | ||
“I felt good out there despite the cold conditions,” Schmidt noted. “Made a couple of mistakes that they capitalized on, but overall I gave us a chance to win. With our bullpen, that’s all you need to do as a starter some days.”
Bubic’s outing was disappointing compared to his early-season form, where he had maintained an impressive 1.98 ERA prior to this game. This regression was similar to what the Royals experienced against the Washington Nationals last week.
Team Strengths & Weaknesses
| YANKEES ADVANTAGES | ||
|---|---|---|
| STRENGTH | NUMBERS | WHY IT MATTERED |
| Clutch Hitting | 3-for-7 with RISP | .429 avg in scoring chances |
| Two-Out Hitting | 4 RBIs with two outs | 100% of runs with two outs |
| Star Production | 3 players, all 4 RBIs | Judge, Volpe, Bellinger delivered |
| Bullpen Work | 3.1 IP, 0 R, 0.00 ERA | Protected one-run lead |
| Power Hitting | 4 extra-base hits | 3 doubles, 1 home run |
| Defense | 0 errors, 1 double play | Clean defense in key spots |
| ROYALS PROBLEM AREAS | ||
|---|---|---|
| WEAKNESS | NUMBERS | HOW IT HURT |
| Clutch Hitting | 1-for-5 with RISP | .200 avg with runners on |
| Late Innings | 0 runs in final 4 innings | No late-game push |
| Baserunning | 1 caught stealing (6th) | Killed potential go-ahead rally |
| Middle Order | Melendez: 0-for-4, 3 Ks | 75% K-rate in key lineup spot |
| Power Gap | 1 extra-base hit | Only Isbel’s triple for extra bases |
The Yankees have shown this pattern in recent games, including their series against the Dodgers last month, where clutch hitting and solid bullpen work carried them to victory.
“Baseball is a game of adjustments,” Cruz noted after earning his first save. “Everyone knows what’s at stake in close games. Our ability to execute in the late innings is something we take pride in as a bullpen unit.”
Five Key Plays That Decided The Game
| KEY PLAY | INNING | WPA CHANGE | GAME SITUATION |
|---|---|---|---|
| Volpe’s two-run double | 3rd | +18.7% NYY | Changed lead (1-0 KC → 2-1 NYY) |
| Isbel’s RBI triple | 5th | +16.2% KC | Led to game being tied at 3-3 |
| Garcia caught stealing | 6th | -10.3% KC | Ended potential go-ahead rally |
| Judge’s solo home run | 7th | +16.8% NYY | Broke tie, became winning run |
| 6-4-3 double play | 9th | +15.2% NYY | Eliminated potential tying run |
| Win Probability Added (WPA) shows how each play changed the game’s outcome | |||
We’ve seen this pattern in previous Yankees-Royals matchups this season, with the Yankees consistently making the most of high-pressure situations while the Royals struggle in those same spots.
Expert Analysis: Advanced Metrics Breakdown
Judge’s Barrel Rate and EV Trends
Judge’s game-winning home run wasn’t just luck. His exit velocity of 108.2 mph was his highest in 14 days, and the launch angle of 27° put it in the “sweet spot” for HRs at Yankee Stadium. After 10 games without a home run, his barrel rate had dropped from 22.1% to 16.3%, but this game suggests a potential return to form.
Yankees’ RISP Differential vs. Season Averages
The Yankees’ .429 average with RISP in this game significantly outperformed their season average of .267. This +.162 differential ranks as their third-highest positive variance of the season. When comparing expected batting average (xBA) of .381 with actual outcomes (.429), they converted these opportunities at an 112.6% clip—suggesting some good fortune but also excellent execution.
Bullpen Leverage Index Analysis
The Yankees bullpen faced a significantly higher average Leverage Index (LI) of 1.87 compared to the Royals’ 1.32. This means Yankees relievers pitched in more high-pressure situations, yet still posted a 0.00 ERA. Their gmLI (game-entering Leverage Index) peaked with Cruz at 2.31, highlighting Boone’s strategic deployment of his best arms in the highest leverage moments.
Schmidt’s Pitch Mix Evolution
Schmidt’s approach showed a notable shift from his previous starts. He increased his slider usage from 28% to 37% while reducing his four-seam fastball from 41% to 34%. This adjustment proved particularly effective against the middle of the Royals’ order, holding them to 1-for-7. His whiff rate decreased (17.4% vs season average 22.1%), but his chase rate improved (32.8% vs 29.4% season average).
Defensive Positioning Impact
The Yankees’ defensive positioning saved approximately 0.6 runs according to Defensive Runs Saved (DRS) metrics. Particularly notable was their positioning against Melendez, with 84% of his at-bats facing a significant shift. This positioning contributed to his 0-for-4 day, with his expected batting average (xBA) of .241 for the game suggesting he hit into bad luck partly due to defensive alignment.
FAQ’s About Yankees vs Kansas City Royals Match Player Stats
Who won the Yankees vs Royals game on April 16?
The New York Yankees defeated the Kansas City Royals 4-3 at Yankee Stadium. The victory completed a three-game series sweep for the Yankees.
Who hit the winning home run for the Yankees?
Aaron Judge hit the game-winning solo home run in the bottom of the 7th inning off Royals reliever John Schreiber. This homer broke a 3-3 tie and ended Judge’s 10-game homerless streak.
How did the Yankees pitchers perform?
Yankees starter Clarke Schmidt pitched 5.2 innings, allowing 3 runs on 4 hits. The bullpen was perfect, with Mark Leiter Jr. (1.1 IP, 0 R) earning the win and Fernando Cruz (2.0 IP, 0 R) recording his first save of the season.
What was the attendance at the game?
The game was attended by 43,720 fans at Yankee Stadium.
Were there any notable defensive plays?
Yes, a crucial 6-4-3 double play in the 9th inning helped secure the Yankees’ victory by eliminating the potential tying run. Also, Royals baserunner Maikel Garcia was caught stealing in the 6th inning, ending a potential go-ahead rally.
How many games in a row have the Yankees now won against the Royals?
The Yankees have now won 5 straight games against the Royals dating back to their previous regular-season series in 2024.
The Bottom Line
The Yankees vs Kansas City Royals game didn’t come down to who dominated overall, but who came through when it mattered most. The raw numbers were close (8 hits vs. 5 hits, 4 runs vs. 3 runs), but a few key factors made all the difference:
- Clutch hitting gap: Yankees’ .429 vs. Royals’ .200 with RISP
- Judge’s impact: His +28.1% WPA was nearly a third of the Yankees’ win probability
- Bullpen battle: Yankees’ bullpen 0.00 ERA vs. Royals’ 3.38 ERA
- Power advantage: Yankees’ 4 extra-base hits vs. Royals’ single triple
The Yankees showed that in baseball, it’s not about putting up monster numbers across the board, but about delivering in the crucial moments. That’s why the Yankees vs Kansas City Royals rivalry always produces such compelling baseball.
Baseball Terms For New Fans
For those new to some of the baseball terms used in this article:
RISP (Runners In Scoring Position): Batting average when runners are on second and/or third base, showing how well a team converts scoring chances.
WPA (Win Probability Added): How much each play increased or decreased a team’s chance of winning, shown as a percentage.
ERA (Earned Run Average): The average number of earned runs a pitcher allows per nine innings pitched.
GO/FO Ratio: The ratio of ground outs to fly outs a pitcher gets, showing their pitching style.
Extra-Base Hits: Any hit beyond a single (doubles, triples, home runs).
Two-Out RBIs: Runs batted in with two outs in an inning, often more valuable because they come under pressure and extend innings.
Barrel Rate: The percentage of batted balls hit with an ideal combination of exit velocity and launch angle.
Exit Velocity (EV): The speed of the baseball as it comes off the bat, measured in miles per hour.
Leverage Index (LI): A measure of the pressure of a game situation, with 1.0 being average pressure.
