Stephen Nover MLB Free Monday Play
(MLB) Royals (KAN) vs. Yankees (NYY),
Money Line: 125.00 Royals (KAN) (Away)
Result: Loss
What is Carlos Carrasco doing on a big league roster? Worse, what is he still doing in the Yankees' starting rotation?

I don't care how many pitching injuries the Yankees have, they certainly can do better than Carrasco.

The 38-year-old Carrasco has given up 10 runs in 12 innings for a 7.71 ERA and 1.63 WHIP. The washed-up righty holds a 5.39 ERA for the last five years. His ERA the past two seasons was 5.64 and 6.80.

Opposing Carrasco is Seth Lugo. I don't quite buy into Lugo's All-Star status, but he's certainly a solid pitcher. He has a 3.24 ERA and 1.26 WHIP. Lugo also has a strong history against the Yankees with a 5-2 record, to go with a 2.55 ERA and 0.96 WHIP in 35 1/3 innings.

The Yankees rank in the top-three in runs and homers. However, they've cooled off. Only once in their last seven games have they scored more than four runs. Aaron Judge hasn't homered during his last eight games.

Vinnie Pasquantino and Salvador Perez, meanwhile, have started to heat up for the Royals.

The backend of Kansas City's bullpen has been better than the Yankees' top relief pitchers, too. Closer Devin Williams has looked terrible for New York so far.

(Editor's note: Stephen Nover is 8-2 on his last 10 baseball premium/free plays. Stephen also is 90-73-3 on his Max Unit hockey plays and has his NHL Total of the Year heading his Monday card.)