Yankees struggling offense faces tough test in Seth Lugo in Game 3

KANSAS CITY, Mo.— In the pivot game of the ALDS, with their offense yet to break out through the first two games, all the Yankees have to do is get to a pitcher who threw the best start against them of anyone this year.No pressure.With the series tied 1-1 heading into Wednesday’s critical Game 3 at Kauffman Stadium, the Yankees will have their hands full with the Royals’ Seth Lugo, who just dominated them across seven shutout innings last month in The Bronx.“Hopefully that serves us well, that familiarity,” manager Aaron Boone said Tuesday before the Yankees flew to Kansas City.

“We’ve seen him a couple times this year.We had a little bit of success with him when we were in Kansas City in June.

But I thought his last outing against us [in New York] was outstanding.He is one of those guys that, he’s got everything.“You hear that phrase ‘kitchen sink,’ he’s gonna throw a little bit of everything.

He can sink the ball, cut it, spin it, slow it down, change speeds really well.You might see eight different pitches at a given time.

Hopefully that serves us well, having that familiarity of just seeing him.But he certainly poses a challenge.”On top of all that, the Yankees will be trying to fix their own issues with situational hitting that have plagued them offensively through the first two games, even while doing enough to scratch six runs across in a Game 1 win.They are hitting a combined 3-for-19 with runners in scoring position through two games and 9-for-43 with runners on base (with an especially poor 2-for-20 showing in Monday’s Game 2).

Both games, they had an opportunity to do early damage with Gleyber Torres and Juan Soto getting on base to lead off the bottom of the first, but they were stranded both times, letting Royals starters Michael Wacha and Cole Ragans off the hook.“Postseason baseball, it’s the little things,” Torres said.“A small opportunity, you have to take it.

Lugo’s really good, but we can take advantage ...