MLB Game Preview: Tampa Bay Rays (43-35) vs. Kansas City Royals (38-40)

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Kansas City Royals logo

Game Details

  • Matchup: Tampa Bay Rays (43–35) vs. Kansas City Royals (38–40)
  • Date: Wednesday, June 25, 2025
  • First Pitch: 7:40 PM ET
  • Venue: Kauffman Stadium, Kansas City, MO
  • Broadcast: Bally Sports Sun, Bally Sports Kansas City, MLB.TV

Game Context & Series Recap

The Rays are surging, having won 7 of their last 10 games, including a series-opening win behind a red-hot offense. Tampa Bay is now just two games behind the Yankees in the AL East. The Royals, meanwhile, are trying to snap a seven-game home losing streak and stay within striking distance of an AL Wild Card spot.

This is the fifth meeting of the season between the two clubs, with Kansas City holding a 3–1 edge in the season series.

Probable Pitchers

Tampa Bay Rays: Drew Rasmussen (3–2, 3.88 ERA)

  • Making his 11th start of the season
  • 1.12 WHIP, 52 K in 53.1 IP
  • Coming off 5.2 IP, 2 ER, 6 K vs. Detroit
  • Royals rank 29th in strikeouts per game, a favorable matchup for Rasmussen

Kansas City Royals: Kris Bubic (6–4, 2.12 ERA)

  • 85.2 IP, 88 K, 1.12 WHIP
  • 9 quality starts in 14 outings
  • Last start: 5.1 IP, 3 ER vs. Texas
  • Opponents hitting just .217 against him

Players to Watch

Tampa Bay Rays

  • Junior Caminero: 19 HR, 50 RBI – top 10 in MLB in home runs
  • Yandy Díaz: .282 AVG, 12 HR – 20-for-44 with 3 HR in last 10 games
  • Jonathan Aranda: Team-high .325 AVG – consistent contact threat

Kansas City Royals

  • Bobby Witt Jr.: .286 AVG, 10 HR, 26 doubles – 7-game hitting streak
  • Vinnie Pasquantino: 11 HR, .409 SLG – Royals’ top power bat
  • Maikel Garcia: .312 AVG – leads team in batting average

Team Stats & Trends

CategoryRaysRoyals
Record43–3538–40
Road/Home Record16–12 (road)19–19 (home)
Team ERA3.59 (8th MLB)3.41 (4th MLB)
Batting Average.256 (4th MLB).247 (16th MLB)
Runs/Game4.76 (6th MLB)3.36 (29th MLB)
Home Runs84 (14th MLB)56 (29th MLB)

The Rays are 18–5 when they don’t allow a home run. The Royals are 15–2 when scoring 5+ runs.

Expect a tight, low-scoring game between two strong pitching staffs. Rasmussen’s strike-throwing and Tampa Bay’s deeper lineup give them the edge, but Bubic’s dominance at home keeps it close.

How to Watch Rays vs Royals – June 25, 2025

  • TV Channels: Bally Sports Sun (Tampa Bay), Bally Sports Kansas City
  • Streaming: MLB.TV, FuboTV (regional restrictions may apply)
  • Radio: WDAE 95.3 FM (Rays), KCSP 610 AM (Royals)

Game Odds

Tampa Bay Rays                – 132

Kansas City Royals           9

Odds Courtesy of Sports Odds Direct as of Tuesday, June 24, 2025