The Kansas City Royals and Texas Rangers wrap up their three-game series on Thursday, June 19, 2025, at Globe Life Field in Arlington, Texas. With both teams sitting at 36–38, this series finale is pivotal for two clubs trying to stay afloat in the AL playoff race. The Royals are eyeing a road sweep, while the Rangers look to avoid a third straight loss at home.
Game Details
- Matchup: Kansas City Royals (36–38) vs. Texas Rangers (36–38)
- Date: Thursday, June 19, 2025
- Time: 2:35 PM ET
- Venue: Globe Life Field, Arlington, TX
- Broadcast: Bally Sports Southwest, Bally Sports Kansas City, MLB.tv
Probable Pitchers
- Royals: Michael Wacha (3–6, 3.38 ERA)
- Rangers: Shawn Armstrong (2–1, 2.90 ERA)
Wacha has been a steady presence in the Royals’ rotation, logging 13 straight starts of 5+ innings and holding opponents to a .250 average. Armstrong, typically a reliever, will make his second start of the season, boasting a 10.2 K/9 and a .159 opponent batting average.
Team Trends
- Royals: Riding a 3-game road win streak, Kansas City has outscored Texas 10–4 in the first two games of the series.
- Rangers: Losers of 3 straight, Texas is 23–15 at home but has struggled to generate offense, scoring just 4 runs in the series.
Players to Watch
- Bobby Witt Jr. (Royals): 24 doubles, 9 HR, 39 RBI, and a .304 xBA. He’s heating up at the plate and leads the team in total bases.
- Salvador Perez (Royals): 4 HR and 9 RBI in his last 10 games, including a multi-homer performance earlier in the series.
- Josh Smith (Rangers): Team-best .292 AVG with a 7-game hitting streak. Batting .410 over his last 10 games.
- Adolis García (Rangers): 13-for-39 with 8 RBI in his last 10 games. A key power bat in the middle of the lineup.
Betting Odds & Insights
- Trend to Know: The Rangers are 25–10 when they don’t allow a home run—but the Royals have homered in both games this series.
Final Thoughts
The Royals are surging behind strong pitching and timely hitting, while the Rangers are reeling and desperate to avoid a sweep. With Michael Wacha on the mound and Bobby Witt Jr. leading the charge, Kansas City has a golden opportunity to climb back to .500. Expect a tight, low-scoring affair with playoff implications in June.
Game Odds
Kansas City Royals 8.5
Texas Rangers – 125
Odds Courtesy of Sports Odds Direct as of Wednesday, June 18, 2025
