The Royals are riding high after a dominant 12–4 win in the opener. This matchup features a compelling pitching duel, red-hot hitters, and playoff implications for both clubs, making it a must-watch for MLB fans, fantasy baseball players, and sports bettors.
Matchup Overview
- Venue: Wrigley Field, Chicago, IL
- Date: Tuesday, July 22, 2025
- Time: 8:05 PM ET
- Broadcast: MARQ (Cubs), FDSNKC (Royals)
- Streaming: MLB.TV, FuboTV (regional restrictions may apply)
Probable Starting Pitchers
| Team | Pitcher | Record | ERA | WHIP | Strikeouts |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Cubs | Matthew Boyd (LHP) | 10–3 | 2.34 | 1.03 | 102 |
| Royals | Rich Hill (LHP) | 0–0 | 0.00 | — | — |
- Matthew Boyd, a 2025 All-Star, returns from the break after tossing 8 scoreless innings vs. the Yankees. He ranks top 5 in MLB ERA and has 13 quality starts this season.
- Rich Hill, age 45, makes his season debut for Kansas City after posting a 5.36 ERA in Triple-A Omaha. He’ll rely on veteran savvy to navigate a potent Cubs lineup.
Key Players to Watch
Kansas City Royals
- Salvador Perez: 17 HR, 60 RBI – homered twice in Game 1 and has 4 HR in his last 3 games.
- Bobby Witt Jr.: .288 AVG, 14 HR, 56 RBI – dynamic shortstop with elite speed and power.
- Maikel Garcia: .293 AVG – consistent contact hitter and All-Star third baseman.
- John Rave: Homered and drove in 2 runs Monday; emerging as a clutch contributor.
Chicago Cubs
- Pete Crow-Armstrong: 26 HR, 72 RBI – ranks 6th in MLB in homers and 9th in RBI.
- Kyle Tucker: .279 AVG, 18 HR, 62 BB – top 10 in OBP and slugging percentage.
- Carson Kelly: 4 HR in last 10 games; homered in Game 1 and leads team in OPS over past week.
- Matt Shaw: 3 RBI Monday including a 3-run homer; heating up at the plate.
Team Stats & Trends
| Category | Royals | Cubs |
|---|---|---|
| Batting Average | .245 (19th MLB) | .256 (4th MLB) |
| Slugging Percentage | .379 (24th) | .447 (2nd) |
| Home Runs | 81 (29th) | 150 (3rd) |
| Runs Scored | 355 (28th) | 527 (2nd) |
| Team ERA | 3.50 (2nd) | 4.66 (Bottom third) |
- Royals have won 6 of their last 10 and outscored opponents by 10 runs during that stretch.
- Cubs are 32–18 at home but have dropped two straight and lost first place in the NL Central.
Final Takeaway
The Royals vs. Cubs matchup on July 22, 2025, features a battle between one of MLB’s hottest offenses and a Royals squad that’s surging behind Salvador Perez, Bobby Witt Jr., and a top-tier pitching staff. With Matthew Boyd anchoring the mound for Chicago and Rich Hill making a dramatic return, expect a tightly contested game with playoff implications and strong fantasy and betting value.
Game Odds
Kansas City Royals 9
Chicago Cubs – 255
Odds Courtesy of Sports Odd Direct as of Monday, July 21, 2025
