Seth Lugo’s goal for ALDS Game 3: Handle NY Yankees, as he did in previous matchup

How much stock does a pitcher put into the most recent performance against an opponent?

Seth Lugo is playing it cautiously. The Royals starter for Game 3 of the American League Division Series against the New York Yankees tossed one of his best games of a stellar season at Yankee Stadium on Sept. 10.

Over seven innings, Lugo surrendered three hits and struck out 10. The Royals won 5-0 and Lugo collected his 16th victory.

“A month ago, that’s a long time,” Lugo said. “I felt like I was pretty focused that game, executing pitches and that’s what I’m going to try to do (Wednesday).”

Last month’s game marked Lugo’s second appearance this season against the Yankees. On June 10, he gave up four runs in seven innings in a 4-2 Yankees victory.

Wednesday, Lugo looks to give the Royals a leg up in the series that stands 1-1 after Kansas City captured Game 2 on Monday.

The scene shifts to Kauffman Stadium, where the Royals will be playing their first home game playoff game since 2015. They opened this postseason by winning two straight at the Baltimore Orioles in the Wild Card series.

The right-handed Lugo started Game 2 against the Orioles on Oct. 2, going 4 1/3 innings. He struck out six as the Royals won 2-1.

A key for Lugo in his previous meeting against the Yankees: no walks. In this series, Royals pitchers have issued 13 free passes, including eight in Game 1. Two of them came with the bases loaded in a 6-5 Yankees triumph.

In Game 2, Royals starter Cole Ragans walked the first two hitters before settling down. A lineup that includes two of the game’s top two hitters, Juan Soto and Aaron Judge, doesn’t need Royals assistance.

“Execute pitches, stay in the strike zone, but if you leave it over the middle of the plate they’re going to put a good swing on it,” Lugo said. “If it’s borderline, they’re probably going to take it.

“If you get some calls you put pressure on them. That’s pitching.”

Few in baseball did it better than Lugo this season. With one of baseball’s most diverse arsenals — Lugo says he throws 10 different pitches — he recorded a career-best 16 victories (which tied for third in the majors) as were his 25 starts of at least six innings pitched.

Lugo spent his first seven years primarily in the New York Mets bullpen. He was a starter for the San Diego Padres last season before signing a three-year, $45 million contract with the Royals. He’s a big part of the across-the-board pitching staff improvement that saw the starters’ ERA drop from 5.12 in 2023 to 3.55 — second in baseball — this season.

He made his first All-Star team this season, and now has helped the Royals advance into the second round of the postseason. Wednesday’s game will be their first at The K since winning the 2015 World Series.

“I remember watching some of those games,” Lugo said. “Excited to see a full house, to see how loud it’s going to get.”