KANSAS CITY, Mo. (Interstat) — The New York Yankees open a three-game series against the Kansas City Royals on Monday afternoon at Kauffman Stadium, with first pitch scheduled under clear skies and 80-degree temperatures.

New York (31-22) enters as the decisive favorite, carrying a minus-1.5 run line. The Yankees swept a three-game set from Kansas City in April at Yankee Stadium, outscoring the Royals 24-6. New York also arrives on a high note, having shut out the Tampa Bay Rays 2-0 on Sunday behind Ryan Weathers’ seven-inning, four-hit gem. Aaron Judge went 2-for-4 with a home run and two RBIs in that contest.

The Yankees’ probable starter for Monday is either Will Warren (6-1) or Michael Wacha (4-2). Manager Aaron Boone has not confirmed the rotation order. Both right-handers have pitched effectively, with Warren owning a 1.17 WHIP over his last five starts and Wacha striking out 8.3 batters per nine innings this season.

Kansas City (22-31) is mired in a difficult stretch, having lost four of its last six. The Royals did salvage a series finale Sunday, beating Seattle 8-6. Right-hander Seth Lugo earned the win in that game, allowing three runs over 6 1/3 innings while striking out three. Catcher Salvador Perez drove in three runs.

Lugo has been the Royals’ most consistent starter, though his last three outings have been uneven. He allowed four earned runs in a loss to Chicago (May 13) and five earned runs in a loss to Boston (May 18) before rebounding Sunday. He will not start Monday — the Royals have not announced their probable pitcher — but he remains a key figure in a rotation that ranks 28th in the majors in ERA.

Weathers, meanwhile, has been dominant. Over his last two starts, he has allowed zero earned runs in 12 1/3 innings, with 11 strikeouts. He faced the Royals on April 19, allowing one hit over six scoreless innings in a 7-0 Yankees victory.

The over/under for the game is set at nine runs. Interstat’s simulator projects a 4-2 Yankees victory.

The series continues Tuesday and Wednesday before both teams hit the road — New York heads to for a weekend set, while Kansas City travels to Texas.