Perez had faced Rodon several times in his career. Entering Monday, he had batted .462 (12-for-26) with three home runs and nine RBIs against him. In their last encounter, Perez hit a home run at Yankee Stadium on Sept. 9.

The Royals head into Game 2 desperately needing a win in order to stay afloat in the series. Fortunately, they'll have their ace, left-hander Cole Ragans on the mound as they try to even the series. He'll go up against Carlos Rodon.

The Yankees are without their No. 1 (Anthony Rizzo) and No. 2 (DJ LeMahieu) first basemen due to injuries. Oswaldo Cabrera started there in Game 1, but with the Royals starting ace lefty Cole Ragans in Game 2, the Yankees wanted the righty hitting Berti in the lineup, and are willing to live with the inexperience at first base.