Date: Wednesday, July 9, 2025
Venue: Kauffman Stadium, Kansas City, MO
First Pitch: 7:40 p.m. ET
Broadcast: ESPN, FDSN KC, SportsNet-PIT
Team Overview & Recent Form
| Team | Record | Last 5 Games | Road/Home Split |
|---|---|---|---|
| Kansas City Royals | 45–48 | W-W-W-L-W | 22–24 (Home) |
| Pittsburgh Pirates | 38–55 | L-L-L-L-W | 12–34 (Road) |
- Royals have taken the first two games of the series, including a tight 4–3 win on Tuesday.
- Pirates are trying to snap a seven-game road losing streak, with offensive struggles continuing.
Pitching Matchup
| Pitcher | Team | Record | ERA | WHIP | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Kris Bubic | Royals | 7–6 | 2.36 | 1.15 | Lefty with elite control; 3 ER allowed in last 18 IP |
| Bailey Falter | Pirates | 6–4 | 3.69 | 1.18 | Solid road ERA; 2.33 team ERA over last 10 games |
Bubic has been a revelation for Kansas City, while Falter gives Pittsburgh a fighting chance with his consistency.
Key Players to Watch
Kansas City Royals
- Bobby Witt Jr.: 15-for-40 over last 10 games; 2 HR, 10 RBI
- Vinnie Pasquantino: 15 HR, 56 RBI; 28 extra-base hits
- Maikel Garcia: .305 AVG; table-setter with speed and contact
Pittsburgh Pirates
- Oneil Cruz: 16 HR, 27 SB; hit a 458-foot HR on Tuesday
- Andrew McCutchen: 14 doubles, 8 HR, 31 RBI; veteran leadership
- Bryan Reynolds: Leads team in hits and RBI; consistent threat
Statistical Comparison
| Category | Royals | Pirates |
|---|---|---|
| Team ERA | 3.46 | 3.67 |
| Batting Average | .244 | .230 |
| Home Runs | 69 | 64 |
| OBP | .299 | .301 |
| Slugging % | .371 | .341 |
Both teams rank near the bottom in power metrics, but Kansas City’s pitching and clutch hitting have made the difference.
Kansas City’s momentum, home-field edge, and Bubic’s dominance make them strong favorites. Pittsburgh’s offense has been inconsistent, and despite Cruz’s power surge, they’ll need more production to avoid the sweep.
Game Odds
Pittsburgh Pirates 8.5
Kansas City Royals – 200
Odds Courtesy of Sports Odd Direct as of Tuesday, July 8, 2025
