Venue: loanDepot Park, Miami, FL
First Pitch: 1:40 PM ET
Watch Live: FDSFL, FDSKC, MLB.TV
Miami has won four straight and is surging behind breakout performances from All-Star slugger Kyle Stowers, while Kansas City aims to avoid a sweep and rebound from a sluggish post-All-Star start.
The Royals were 7–3 heading into the break but have dropped two straight, including a 3–1 loss on Saturday. The Marlins, meanwhile, have gone 21–10 over their last 31 games, climbing out of the NL East basement and into Wild Card contention.
Starting Pitchers – July 20, 2025
| Team | Pitcher | Record | ERA | WHIP | Strikeouts |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Royals | Kris Bubic (LHP) | 7–6 | 2.48 | — | — |
| Marlins | Janson Junk (RHP) | 4–1 | 2.68 | — | — |
- Kris Bubic has emerged as a first-time All-Star, showcasing a revamped arsenal with improved command. He’s holding left-handed hitters to a .615 OPS and has yet to face Miami in his career.
- Janson Junk has been stellar for the Marlins, allowing just four walks in 50.1 innings and ranking in the 100th percentile in walk rate. Miami is 5–1 in his last six appearances, and he previously shut out the Royals over five innings in 2022.
Players to Watch
Miami Marlins
- Kyle Stowers: .299 AVG, 21 HR, 59 RBI; 5 HR and 11 RBI in last two games
- Jesus Sanchez: .793 career second-half OPS; projected breakout stretch
- Otto Lopez: .249 AVG, 11 HR, 29 walks; consistent middle-order bat
Kansas City Royals
- Bobby Witt Jr.: .293 AVG, 32 doubles, 14 HR, 30 walks; hitting .321 in July
- Maikel Garcia: .299 AVG; leads team in batting average
- John Rave: Rookie OF with 2 HR on Friday; batting .189 but showing promise
Team Comparison – Key Stats
| Category | Royals | Marlins |
|---|---|---|
| Batting Avg | .245 | .253 |
| Runs/Game | 3.4 (29th MLB) | 4.3 (19th MLB) |
| Home Runs | 73 (29th MLB) | 87 (26th MLB) |
| Slugging % | .374 | .391 |
| OBP | .300 | .314 |
| Last 10 Games | 6–4 | 6–4 |
Kansas City’s offense ranks near the bottom of MLB, while Miami’s recent surge has been fueled by timely hitting and improved bullpen performance.
Game Odds
Kansas City Royals – 123
Miami Marlins 7.5
Odds Courtesy of Sports Odd Direct as of Saturday, July 19, 2025
