Kansas City Royals vs Cleveland Guardians July 26th 2025
The Cleveland Guardians will take on the Kansas City Royals at Kauffman Stadium in an afternoon game. The game is set for Saturday, July 26, 2025, at 2:40 PM. Fans can catch the action on APLTV.
The Guardians, managed by Stephen Vogt, have a season record of 51-51. They are seven games back in the AL Central. The Royals, led by Matt Quatraro, have a record of 50-53 and are nine games back in the division. The starting pitchers are Gavin Williams for the Guardians and Michael Wacha for the Royals.
Guardians vs Royals Key Information
- Sport: Baseball
- Teams: Cleveland Guardians vs. Kansas City Royals
- Venue: Kauffman Stadium, Kansas City, MO
- Date: Saturday, July 26, 2025
- Betting Odds: Not available
The Guardians Can Win If…
The Cleveland Guardians recently played against the Baltimore Orioles, losing 4-3. Steven Kwan stood out with two home runs and two RBIs. José Ramírez also contributed with two hits in the game.
The Guardians’ pitching has been solid, with an ERA of 3.92, ranking them 15th in the league. Their ability to limit home runs, with only 109 given up, ranks them 9th. These stats show that their pitching staff can keep games close.
José Ramírez is a key player for the Guardians, with a batting average of .297 and 21 home runs. His performance can lead the team to victory. Gavin Williams, with a 3.54 ERA, will start the game, providing a strong presence on the mound.
The Royals Can Win If…
The Kansas City Royals are coming off a strong performance against the Chicago Cubs, winning 8-4. Vinnie Pasquantino was a key player, going 3-for-4 with two home runs and four RBIs. Salvador Perez also contributed with a home run and two RBIs, showing the Royals’ power at the plate.
The Royals have been effective in hitting doubles this season, ranking 5th in the league. Their pitching staff has also been solid, with a team ERA of 3.50, placing them 2nd in the league. These stats indicate the Royals’ ability to both score and limit opponents, giving them a good chance to win.
Michael Wacha will start for the Royals, bringing a 3.62 ERA into the game. His experience and ability to control the game could be a deciding factor. With players like Bobby Witt Jr. and Vinnie Pasquantino in the lineup, the Royals have the tools needed for another victory.
The Lean
The recommended moneyline pick is for the team with a .245 batting average and a 3.50 ERA. This team ranks 2nd in ERA and 6th in batting average against, showing strong pitching. The projected score is 5-3 in favor of this team.
For the over/under pick, the current line is set at 8.5 runs. The model projects a total score of 8 runs, suggesting a pick on the under. Both teams have decent pitching, with ERAs of 3.92 and 3.50, which supports a lower scoring game.
Guardians, Royals Set for Key AL Central Doubleheader
The Cleveland Guardians and Kansas City Royals will make up for Friday’s rainout with a split doubleheader at Kauffman Stadium on Saturday. The day brings high stakes in the American League Central, with both teams re-integrating key pieces into their rosters.
Arias and Harvey Return From IL for Saturday’s Twin Bill
Before weather disrupted the series opener, both teams announced significant roster moves. Cleveland activated Gabriel Arias (ankle) from the injured list, and the versatile infielder was penciled in as the starting shortstop before the delay.
On the other side, Kansas City reinstated Hunter Harvey (shoulder strain), bolstering a bullpen that has struggled with depth and consistency in his absence. Harvey had not pitched since April 8.
You can track each team’s latest injuries and transactions ahead of Saturday’s games.
Guardians Eye Rebound After Orioles Slip
Despite dropping their last game 4-3 to the Orioles, Cleveland is 11-3 over its last 14 games and continues to lead the AL Central. Their impressive run included a near four-game sweep of Baltimore.
“We love the way we’re playing right now,” Guardians manager Stephen Vogt said. “This was a great homestand… We know Kansas City is playing well too. We’ve got to come in and take care of business.”
Cleveland has had the Royals’ number this year, winning four of six earlier in the season. You can review recent Guardians performance trends on Scores and Stats.
Game 1: Gavin Williams vs. Michael Wacha
The Guardians will send Gavin Williams (6-4, 3.54 ERA) to the hill in Game 1. The 25-year-old has been dominant against Kansas City in his young career, owning a 2.14 ERA in six starts. He took a no-decision against them earlier this year, allowing two runs in five-plus innings.
The Royals counter with veteran Michael Wacha (4-9, 3.62 ERA), who’s been solid in recent outings but hasn’t received run support. He held Cleveland to one run in four innings on March 30 but was tagged with the loss due to inefficiency.
Game 2: Tanner Bibee vs. Kris Bubic
Cleveland turns to Tanner Bibee (6-9, 4.27 ERA) in the nightcap. The righty is coming off back-to-back wins and holds a 2.65 ERA in seven career starts against Kansas City, including 10 1/3 scoreless innings in two meetings this year.
Kansas City responds with lefty Kris Bubic (8-6, 2.38 ERA), who has delivered one of the better comeback stories in baseball this season. Still, Bubic has struggled against the Guardians historically, going 1-3 with a 5.18 ERA in nine appearances.
Royals Riding Momentum From Road Success
The Royals return home with momentum, having won three of their final four on the road. Their 8-4 win over the Cubs on Wednesday was punctuated by Vinnie Pasquantino’s two home runs.
Pasquantino has been a problem for Cleveland too, batting .368 with multiple homers across their previous two series. You can follow his stats and all Royals player props at Scores and Stats.
Final Outlook
Cleveland enters Saturday’s doubleheader with strong starting pitching and a hot offense, while Kansas City looks to carry recent momentum and benefit from Harvey’s return to the bullpen. With both teams fighting for postseason positioning and rivalry bragging rights, expect a pair of tightly contested games at Kauffman Stadium.
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