这个句子里当然也可以用will,这样语气更为肯定。如:If Kevin was out sick yesterday, he will probably work late today(词典理例句)。你的句子用would更为婉转,不过于直接,说话留有余地。这个句子不是虚拟语气,因为不符合虚拟语气的构成,这可以从条件句的ask看出。如果是虚拟语气,要用asked. 虚拟语气,是对本有没有发生的事进行的一种假设。如:If he came, I would leave. 实际上他不会来。没有虚拟的假设条件,不会是虚拟语气。
would 有多种用法,除了虚拟语气,还有过去将来时的用法。如:When in Beijing, I would take a walk every morning. would 有时还可以表示客气的请求,如:Would you open the door for me? Would还可以表示猜测或一种期待, 如:He would seem to be much better now.如果你查一下词典,会有更多用法的解释和例句。