MLB Game Preview: Los Angeles Angels (64-73) vs. Kansas City Royals (70-67)

Game Overview

• Date & Time: Tuesday, September 2, 2025 – First Pitch 7:40 p.m. ET
• Venue: Kauffman Stadium, One Royal Way, Kansas City, MO 64129
• Surface: Natural Grass
• Broadcast: FDSKC (Royals), FDSW (Angels), MLB.tv (out-of-market)

Weather Report (Kansas City, MO – Game Time)

• Conditions: Clear skies, warm late-summer evening
• Temperature: ~82°F (28°C) at first pitch
• Wind: ~8 mph out to left-center — mild boost to RH pull hitters
• Precipitation: 0% chance
• Impact: Slightly hitter-friendly for fly balls to left

Injury Report

Los Angeles Angels

• Taylor Ward – Day-to-day (head)
• Nolan Schanuel – 10‑Day IL (wrist)
• Jorge Soler – 10‑Day IL (back)
• Tyler Anderson – 15‑Day IL (oblique)
• Victor Mederos – 15‑Day IL (shoulder)
• Carson Fulmer – 60‑Day IL (elbow)
• Gustavo Campero – 60‑Day IL (ankle)
• Ben Joyce – 60‑Day IL (shoulder)
• Hunter Strickland – 60‑Day IL (shoulder)
• Anthony Rendon – 60‑Day IL (hip)

Kansas City Royals

• Jonathan India – 10‑Day IL (wrist)
• Bailey Falter – 15‑Day IL (biceps)
• Hunter Harvey – 15‑Day IL (abductor)
• Steven Cruz – 15‑Day IL (shoulder)
• Kris Bubic – 60‑Day IL (rotator cuff)
• Cole Ragans – 60‑Day IL (rotator cuff)
• Alec Marsh – 60‑Day IL (shoulder)
• James McArthur – 60‑Day IL (elbow)

Team Records & Form

Recent Form:

• Angels: Offense ice-cold (.174 BA last 10), averaging just 2.6 runs/game; pitching ERA 5.76 in that span.
• Royals: Balanced (.257 BA, 4.6 runs/game last 10), pitching ERA 4.55; 3–2 in last 5 as favorite.

Projected Starting Pitchers

• LAA: LHP Mitch Farris (MLB debut) – 24-year-old southpaw making first big-league start; scouting reports note above-average changeup and command profile.
• KC: RHP Michael Lorenzen (5–8, 4.62 ERA, 1.35 WHIP, 100 K in 113.2 IP) – 7 quality starts; 8.0 K/9; opponents hitting .268; 6–2 team record when favored in his starts.

Key Player Matchups

Angels Offense vs. Lorenzen

• Jo Adell (.235, 31 HR, .484 SLG) – Team HR leader; power threat but high K rate.
• Zach Neto (.264, 29 2B, 25 HR) – 9-for-39 with 4 HR in last 10 games.
• Mike Trout (.231, 20 HR, .361 OBP) – Still a disciplined OBP asset despite BA dip.

Royals Offense vs. Farris

• Bobby Witt Jr. (.296, 20 HR, 76 RBI, 34 SB) – Elite all-around threat; 41 doubles.
• Maikel Garcia (.298, 15 HR) – 5-game hit streak; .361 OBP.
• Vinnie Pasquantino (.259, 28 HR, 94 RBI) – Middle-of-order anchor.

Series History

• All-Time: Royals lead 304–313 overall (reg. season + postseason).
• 2024 Season: Royals won 5–2.
• Venue Note: Royals 2–1 vs. Angels at Kauffman in 2024.

Betting Trends

• Royals 34–24 as favorite (58.6% win rate); 10–0 when favored at -178 or shorter.
• Angels 47–57 as underdog; 13–16 when +150 or longer.
• Over is 59–77–1 in Royals games; Over is 73–58–5 in Angels games.
• Royals 4–6 ATS last 10; Angels 5–5 ATS last 10.

Suggested Wagering Model

Model Inputs:

• Royals’ offensive consistency vs. Angels’ cold bats
• Farris making MLB debut vs. veteran Lorenzen
• KC bullpen stability vs. LAA’s recent late-inning struggles
• Weather: mild boost to RH power