| MATCHUP | Kansas City Royals | Tampa Bay Rays |
|---|---|---|
| Team Records | 34-47 | 44-33 |
| Spread | +1.5 -180 | -1.5 148 |
| Moneyline | +119 | -143 |
| Total | Over 8.5 (-107) | Under 8.5 (-112) |
| Where | Tropicana Field, St. Petersburg, Florida | |
| When | Thursday, June 25, 2026 | |
| Time | 12:10 PM EDT | |
| TV | MLB.TV | |
Kansas City Royals Betting Preview
The Kansas City Royals are 34-47 on the year and play the White Sox and Rays next. The Kansas City Royals are batting .248 on the season, have a .320 OBP, and have a .397 slugging percentage. The Kansas City Royals’ pitching staff has a 4.55 ERA and a 1.39 WHIP. Bobby Witt Jr. leads the Kansas City Royals with 88 hits and 32 RBI, while Maikel Garcia and Jac Caglianone have combined for 140 hits and 60 RBI.
Seth Lugo gets the ball for the Kansas City Royals, and he is 3-4 with a 3.69 ERA and 66 strikeouts this season. Lugo is 3-0 with a 1.86 ERA and 15 strikeouts in his career against the Tampa Bay Rays.
Tampa Bay Rays Betting Preview
The Tampa Bay Rays are 44-33 on the year and play the Royals and Diamondbacks next. The Tampa Bay Rays are batting .257 on the season, have a .335 OBP, and have a .382 slugging percentage. The Tampa Bay Rays’ pitching staff has a 3.90 ERA and a 1.23 WHIP. Yandy Diaz leads the Tampa Bay Rays with 94 hits and 51 RBI, while Jonathan Aranda and Junior Caminero have combined for 159 hits and 90 RBI.
Casey Legumina gets the ball for the Tampa Bay Rays, and he is 2-1 with a 3.45 ERA and 23 strikeouts this season. Legumina is 0-1 with an 18.00 ERA and 1 strikeout in his career against the Kansas City Royals.
Why the Tampa Bay Rays will win
- The Royals have lost eight of their last nine day games against AL East opponents.
- The Rays have won 13 of their last 16 home games against American League opponents following a win.
- The Royals have failed to cover the run line in seven of their last eight games as underdogs against AL East opponents following a loss.
- The Rays have covered the run line in six of their last seven day games against AL Central opponents following a win.
- The Rays have led after 3 innings in three of their last four day games against American League opponents.
Why the Kansas City Royals will win
- The Rays have lost six of their last seven games as favorites following a win.
- The Royals have won five of their last six games as underdogs following a loss.
- The Rays have failed to cover the run line in each of their last six games as home favorites against the Royals following a win.
- The Royals have covered the run line in each of their last five games at Tropicana Field following a loss.
- The Royals have led after 3 innings in four of their last five games as road underdogs against American League opponents.
- The Royals have led after 5 innings in three of their last four games as road underdogs.
Total Runs Facts
- Five of the Rays’ last six day games against AL Central opponents have gone UNDER the total runs line.
- Four of the Royals’ last five games as underdogs have gone OVER the total runs line.
- There has been at least one run scored in the first inning in each of Ian Seymour’s four previous home appearances as a starter.
- There has been at least one run scored in the first inning in each of the Royals’ last four day games.
Tampa Bay Rays Player Prop Facts
- Junior Caminero has hit at least one home run in six of the Rays’ last 13 games as favorites against AL Central opponents.
- Jonathan Aranda has recorded at least one hit in each of the Rays’ last eight games against the Royals.
- Yandy Diaz ranks 3rd amongst qualified players for Batting Average (.332) this season.
Kansas City Royals Player Prop Facts
- Carter Jensen has hit a home run in each of the Royals’ last two day games.
- Seth Lugo has recorded five or more strikeouts in 17 of his last 21 appearances with the Royals as road underdogs against AL opponents.
- Carter Jensen has recorded at least one hit in each of his last 11 appearances after playing the previous day.
Matchup/League Facts
- The Rays rank 3rd in the league for walks allowed this season (224).
- The Rays rank 4th in the league for batting average this season (.257).
- The Royals rank T26th in the league for walks allowed this season (307).
- The Royals rank 7th in the league for hits this season (675).
Kansas City Royals vs Tampa Bay Rays Prediction
The Rays have been the better team and have played ridiculous ball at home, but the value is with the Royals and the plus money. I’m not a fan of openers, so seeing Legumina on the bump is a turnoff. Legumina also has a .27 allowed batting average at home in 19.2 innings. Lugo has been respectable this season, and he has a 3.60 ERA on the road through 35 frames. The Royals have played good ball this week and have the more stable option on the mound. I’ll take a shot with the road dog.