Miami Marlins vs Kansas City Royals July 19th 2025
The Kansas City Royals will visit the Miami Marlins at loanDepot Park on Saturday, July 19, 2025. The game is set for an afternoon start at 4:10 PM and will be broadcast on MLBN. With the retractable roof at the stadium, weather conditions like scattered clouds and a light breeze might not affect play.
The Royals, managed by Matt Quatraro, hold a 47-51 record this season. They are 12 games behind in the AL Central. Michael Wacha will start for Kansas City, bringing a 4-9 record and a 3.74 ERA. The Marlins, led by Clayton McCullough, have a 45-51 record and are 9 games back in the NL East. Cal Quantrill will take the mound for Miami, with a 3-8 record and a 5.62 ERA.
Royals vs Marlins Key Information
- Sport: Baseball
- Teams: Kansas City Royals vs. Miami Marlins
- Venue: loanDepot Park in Miami, FL
- Date: Saturday, July 19, 2025
- Betting Odds: Royals Moneyline -119, Marlins Moneyline +101, Royals Runline -1.5 (+141), Marlins Runline +1.5 (-168), Total Over/Under 8.5 (-110)
The Royals Can Win If…
The Kansas City Royals recently played a close game against the Miami Marlins, losing 8-7. John Rave was a standout, hitting two home runs and driving in four runs. The team collected 11 hits, matching the Marlins in that department, showing their ability to compete offensively.
The Royals’ season stats reveal strengths that could lead them to victory. Their batting average ranks 12th in the league, and they are third in doubles with 172. Their pitching staff has an impressive 3.52 ERA, ranking second, and they have 45 quality starts, which is also third in the league.
Michael Wacha will start for the Royals with a 3.74 ERA. This gives them a solid chance against Miami’s Cal Quantrill, who has a 5.62 ERA. With hitters like Bobby Witt Jr., who has a .293 average and 14 home runs, the Royals have the firepower to win this game.
The Marlins Can Win If…
The Miami Marlins come off a tight 8-7 win against the Kansas City Royals. In this game, Kyle Stowers stood out with two home runs and five RBIs. Sandy Alcantara pitched six innings, allowing four earned runs, which was enough to secure the win.
The Marlins have shown they can hit well, ranking 5th in batting average at .254. They also have 161 doubles, ranking 7th, which highlights their ability to get extra-base hits. Their lineup features power hitters like Kyle Stowers, who has 21 home runs, and Agustín Ramírez, with 14 home runs.
Despite the challenges, the Marlins have some strengths on the mound. Their ability to strike batters out ranks 10th in the league, with 768 strikeouts. Cal Quantrill will start, and while his numbers are not the best, the Marlins’ recent offensive performances can provide the run support needed for a win.
The Lean
The Royals are favored with a moneyline of -119 against the Marlins at +101. My model projects the Royals to win with a score of 5-4. The Royals have a strong pitching staff with a 3.52 ERA, which ranks 2nd in the league. This gives them an edge over the Marlins, who have a higher team ERA of 4.59.
The total for the game is set at 8.5 runs, with both the over and under at -110. My model projects a total score of 9 runs. The Royals’ pitching is strong, but both teams have solid hitting stats. The Marlins rank 5th in batting average, suggesting that the over is a reasonable pick here.
How Do You Stop Kyle Stowers? Royals Seek Answer Against Red-Hot Marlins
It is a question that every pitching coach in Major League Baseball is asking right now: how do you get Kyle Stowers out? The Miami Marlins’ All-Star is in the middle of a historic, video game-like power surge that has left opponents and even his own teammates speechless. The visiting Kansas City Royals were the latest victim of his heroics on Friday night, and now they will have less than 24 hours to devise a new plan as they continue their three-game series against the red-hot Miami Marlins on Saturday.
The Stowers Surge: A Historic Run
What Kyle Stowers is doing right now defies logic. Over his last ten at-bats, the 27-year-old slugger has hit an unbelievable five home runs and driven in eleven runs. His latest act of brilliance came in the bottom of the tenth inning on Friday night. After the Royals had just taken a 7-5 lead in the top of the frame, Stowers stepped to the plate with two runners on and crushed a walk-off, three-run home run to give the Marlins an incredible 8-7 victory. It was his third walk-off hit of the season and the latest chapter in a phenomenal All-Star campaign that has seen him post a .298 average with 21 home runs, 59 RBIs, and a .935 OPS.
The performance has left even him struggling to find the right words. “I’m at a loss for words,” Stowers said after the game. “It’s getting crazier and crazier.”
His manager, Clayton McCullough, is simply enjoying the show. “What he’s doing is special,” McCullough said. “Kyle is easy to root for because of how humble he is and how hard he works.” The incredible hot streak of one player can completely alter the betting landscape for a series, a topic often explored in our expert betting guide.
Marlins Overcoming Adversity
Stowers’ heroics are powering the Marlins through a difficult period. The team has won 20 of its last 30 games and is firmly in the National League playoff race, but they were dealt a major blow this week. The club announced just before Friday’s game that starting third baseman Connor Norby, a key part of their improved defense and lineup, is expected to miss up to eight weeks after undergoing wrist surgery. Stowers’ ability to carry the offense is even more crucial now as the team navigates another key injury. His performance has been supported by rookie catcher Agustin Ramirez, who has emerged as a star in his own right, leading all NL rookies in home runs, RBIs, and extra-base hits.
Glimmers of Hope in a Heartbreaking Loss
For the Royals, Friday’s loss was a gut-punch, but it was not without significant silver linings. After a long and frustrating slump, their offense showed real signs of life. Rookie left fielder John Rave, who has struggled for much of the season, had a massive breakout game, hitting the first two home runs of his major league career and driving in four runs. He also made a spectacular running catch, showing off his five-tool potential.
Perhaps more importantly, the team got an immediate impact from newly re-acquired veteran Adam Frazier. In his first game back with the club after being traded from the Pirates, Frazier delivered what looked to be the game-winning hit: a clutch, two-out, two-run pinch-hit double in the top of the tenth inning. “Adam provides a lot of leadership,” Royals manager Matt Quatraro said. “He instills confidence in the guys. He is versatile and gives you professional at-bats with tons of contact.” While the result was a loss, the performance of Rave and Frazier provided a much-needed jolt of energy for a struggling team.

A Fascinating Pitching Duel of Histories
Saturday’s pitching matchup is a fascinating duel between two veterans who have had very different seasons but who both have fantastic career numbers against their opponent. The Marlins will start right-hander Cal Quantrill (3-8, 5.62 ERA). While Quantrill has struggled this year, he has been an absolute Royals-killer throughout his career, posting a perfect 6-0 record with a sparkling 2.96 ERA in 10 appearances against them.
The Royals will counter with their own veteran righty, Michael Wacha (4-9, 3.74). Wacha has been solid this season but is in the midst of a personal slump, having lost five of his last six decisions. However, like Quantrill, he has dominated his opponent in his career, with a 4-1 record and a 3.66 ERA against the Marlins. This incredible clash of historical dominance versus recent form will be the top story on the scores and odds board.
The Playoff Picture
This series is a crucial interleague test for two MLB teams with different second-half goals. The Marlins are looking to solidify their spot in the NL Wild Card race, while the Royals are trying to turn their season around and get back to .500. To see who our experts think will win this compelling matchup, check out our daily MLB picks.