Date: Monday, August 18, 2025
Venue: Kauffman Stadium, Kansas City, MO
First Pitch: 7:40 PM ET
Broadcast: FDSKC, Bally Sports Southwest, ESPN+
Match Overview
The Royals open a four-game homestand against the Rangers, with both teams hovering near .500 and fighting to stay relevant in the Wild Card race. Kansas City enters on a 3-game win streak, while Texas has dropped 8 of its last 10 and is missing key bats.
Pitching Matchup
| Team | Starter | Record | ERA | WHIP | K |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Rangers | Jack Leiter | 7-6 | 3.94 | 1.34 | 96 |
| Royals | Michael Wacha | 7-9 | 3.35 | 1.15 | 101 |
- Leiter has been solid in his rookie campaign but faces a Royals lineup that’s hitting .273 over its last 10 games.
- Wacha has a 2.89 ERA at home and leads KC starters in WHIP and strikeouts.
Team Trends & Stats
| Category | Rangers | Royals |
|---|---|---|
| Last 10 Games | 2-8 | 7-3 |
| Batting Avg | .235 | .273 |
| Team ERA | 5.76 | 3.69 |
| Road/Home Record | 25-37 | 33-29 |
| Season Series | Royals lead 2–1 | — |
- Texas has been outscored by 21 runs in its last 10 games.
- KC has outscored opponents by 14 runs in the same span and ranks 4th in MLB in team ERA (3.61).
Players to Watch
- Royals:
- Bobby Witt Jr.: .290 AVG, 38 doubles, 17 HR, 41 BB
- Vinnie Pasquantino: 22 HR, 80 RBI
- Maikel Garcia: .300 AVG, 32 doubles, 55 RBI
- Rangers:
- Corey Seager: 18 HR, .266 AVG
- Josh Smith: .266 AVG, 21 doubles
- Wyatt Langford: 17 HR, 18 doubles, 48 BB
Game Odds
Texas Rangers 9
Kansas City Royals – 132
Odds Courtesy of Sports Odd Direct as of Sunday, August 17, 2025
