New York Yankees vs. Kansas City Royals: Ryan Weathers vs. Cole Ragans
The Yankees look to end this homestand with a sweep
Apr 14, 2026; Bronx, New York, USA; New York Yankees starting pitcher Ryan Weathers (40) pitches in the first inning against the Los Angeles Angels at Yankee Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Wendell Cruz-Imagn Images | Wendell Cruz-Imagn Images The Yankees have managed to right the ship a little bit this weekend, taking the first two games of this series versus the Royals. After a bit of a rocky week or so, the way to really get back on track isn’t just to win a series, but to sweep it, and ahead of a road trip that would be exactly the kind of momentum the team could really use.
On a more personal level, a nice easy blowout win like yesterday would be welcome for hard-luck starter Ryan Weathers, who hasn’t seen a single run in support in his first four starts as a Yankee. Weathers has been … interesting to watch in those four starts. In his worst outing, earlier this week against the Angels, he had a 5:1 K:BB ratio that if replicated over a full season would almost guarantee a unanimous Cy Young season.
He also gave up five runs in five innings, including back-to-back-to-back homers. Every start made by the triumvirate of Weathers, Will Warren, and Luis Gil seems like a mini-audition to stay in the rotation when Gerrit Cole and Carlos Rodón return from injury, and if that happened today I’m not sure Weathers wins that contest for the final spot (even if Gil is left out as well, as he was at the start of 2026). Then again, if Weathers replicates that eight-inning, one-run showing against the Athletics two weeks ago, he’ll be back on the inside track, run support or no.
Cole Ragans, meanwhile, has been a pitcher I’ve enjoyed watching for a while, even during his injury-hampered 2025. In some ways he’s a classic crafty lefty, not having a dominant or overwhelming pitch but controlling contact quality and taking advantage of a strong Royals defense. His walk rate has been quite high to start the year, which is one avenue the Yankees could use to gameplan against him.