MLB Game Preview: Los Angeles Dodgers (52-31) vs. Kansas City Royals (38-44)

Game Details

• Matchup: Los Angeles Dodgers vs. Kansas City Royals
• Date: Saturday, June 28, 2025
• Time: 4:10 PM ET
• Venue: Kauffman Stadium, Kansas City, MO
• Broadcast: MLB.TV, Bally Sports KC, SportsNet LA

Starting Pitchers

• Dodgers: Shohei Ohtani (0-0, 4.50 ERA) – making his third start of the season
• Royals: Seth Lugo (4-5, 2.93 ERA, 1.05 WHIP) – 15th start of 2025

Team Overview

Los Angeles Dodgers

• Record: 52-31 (1st in NL West)
• Streak: Won 5 straight, 11-2 in last 13 games
• Key Strengths:

• Power Surge: Shohei Ohtani (29 HR), Max Muncy (13 HR), Mookie Betts (9 HR)
• Elite Bullpen: 5 scoreless innings in Friday’s win
• Top-tier Offense: Averaging 5.2 runs/game in June

Kansas City Royals

• Record: 38-44 (4th in AL Central)
• Streak: Lost 6 straight
• Key Strengths:

• Bobby Witt Jr.: 11 HR, .278 AVG, 27 doubles
• Maikel Garcia: Team-leading .309 AVG
• Seth Lugo: 2 ER in last 18 IP with 18 Ks

Key Matchup Insights

• Dodgers Lead Season Series: 1-0 after a 5-4 win on Friday
• Ohtani’s Impact: Hit his 29th HR and scored twice in the opener
• Royals’ Offensive Woes: Just 8 total runs in their last 6 games
• Injury Report:

• Royals: Cole Ragans, Michael Massey, Alec Marsh all on IL
• Dodgers: Healthy core lineup intact

X-Factors

• Freddie Freeman (LAD): .321 AVG vs. RHP, scored in 4 of last 5 road games
• Max Muncy (LAD): .388 AVG vs. Lugo’s pitch mix over last month
• Bobby Witt Jr. (KC): Needs to spark Royals’ stagnant offense
• Seth Lugo (KC): Dominant vs. RHH (.130 BAA), but vulnerable to lefties (.280 BAA)