MLB Game Preview: Tampa Bay Rays (45-35) vs. Kansas City Royals (38-42)

The Tampa Bay Rays aim to complete a three-game sweep while riding a five-game road win streak and boasting one of the best records in the American League, the Rays are surging. Meanwhile, the Royals are looking to snap a four-game skid and salvage the series finale.

Game Details

• Matchup: Tampa Bay Rays (45–35) vs. Kansas City Royals (38–42)
• Venue: Kauffman Stadium, Kansas City, MO
• Time: 2:10 PM ET
• Broadcast: Bally Sports Sun, Bally Sports Kansas City

Starting Pitchers

Rays: Shane Baz (7–3, 4.79 ERA)

Baz has been inconsistent in June, allowing 5 earned runs in his last outing. However, he’s shown flashes of dominance and will look to bounce back against a Royals lineup that’s scored just 4 total runs in its last 4 games.

Royals: Michael Lorenzen (4–7, 4.81 ERA)

Lorenzen has been solid but unspectacular. He allowed 2 earned runs over 5.1 innings in his last start and will need to be sharp against a Rays team that’s hitting .319 over its last 10 games.

Players to Watch

Tampa Bay Rays

• Junior Caminero: Leads the team with 19 HRs and is hitting .474 over his last 5 games.
• Yandy Díaz: Riding a 15-game hitting streak, batting .282 with 12 HRs.
• Brandon Lowe: 15 HRs and 10 doubles; a key power threat in the middle of the order.

Kansas City Royals

• Maikel Garcia: Team leader in batting average (.310) with 20 doubles.
• Bobby Witt Jr.: 12-for-39 with 2 HRs in his last 10 games; the Royals’ most dynamic offensive weapon.
• Salvador Perez: Veteran presence with 3 HRs and 8 RBIs over his last 10 games.

Key Stats & Trends

• Rays are 18–12 on the road and have outscored opponents by 24 runs over their last 10 games.
• Royals are 19–21 at home and have lost 4 straight games.
• Tampa Bay has the 6th-best ERA in the AL (3.52) and has allowed just 1 run in the first two games of the series.
• Kansas City is 13–33 when allowing a home run, a troubling stat against Tampa Bay’s power bats.