Kansas City Royals vs Atlanta Braves July 28th 2025
The Atlanta Braves will visit the Kansas City Royals at Kauffman Stadium on Monday, July 28, 2025. The game is set to begin at 7:40 PM under the night sky. Fans can catch the action on FDSSO as the Braves aim to improve their current road record of 18-34.
The Braves, managed by Brian Snitker, are currently 44-60 this season. They sit 17 games back in the NL East. Meanwhile, the Royals, led by Matt Quatraro, hold a 52-54 record and are 8 games back in the AL Central. Spencer Strider will take the mound for the Braves, while Rich Hill starts for the Royals.
Braves vs Royals Key Information
- Sport: Baseball
- Teams: Atlanta Braves vs. Kansas City Royals
- Venue: Kauffman Stadium in Kansas City, MO
- Date: Monday, July 28, 2025
- Betting Odds: Braves Moneyline -169, Royals Moneyline +143, Braves Runline -1.5 (-107), Royals Runline +1.5 (-113), Total Over 9.5 (-110), Total Under 9.5 (-110)
The Braves Can Win If…
The Atlanta Braves are looking to bounce back after a tough 8-1 loss to the Texas Rangers. Bryce Elder struggled on the mound, giving up eight earned runs in just under three innings. Despite the loss, Michael Harris II had a strong performance with two hits, including a double, showing his potential to spark the offense.
The Braves’ lineup has the potential to deliver. They rank 6th in walks this season, which shows their patience at the plate. With power hitters like Matt Olson, who leads the team with 18 home runs, the Braves have the ability to score quickly.
Spencer Strider will start for the Braves against the Kansas City Royals. Strider has a solid ERA of 3.72 and has shown the ability to strike out batters, with the team ranking 4th in strikeouts. His performance on the mound will be key to the Braves’ chances of winning this game.
The Royals Can Win If…
The Kansas City Royals recently won against the Cleveland Guardians with a score of 4-1. Noah Cameron had a strong performance, pitching five innings and allowing no runs. Maikel Garcia contributed with a home run, driving in two runs, showing the team’s ability to capitalize on key moments.
The Royals have shown strength in their pitching this season, with a team ERA of 3.49, ranking second in the league. Their ability to keep opponents’ batting averages low, at .235, is a key factor in their success. This strong pitching foundation gives them a solid chance to win the upcoming game.
Offensively, the Royals have been effective with extra-base hits, ranking fifth in doubles. Players like Bobby Witt Jr. and Vinnie Pasquantino lead the team with consistent performances. With their lineup, the Royals have the tools to put runs on the board and secure another victory.
The Lean
The Braves are favored with a moneyline of -169 against the Royals, who have a moneyline of +143. The Braves have a strong pitching staff with a 3.49 ERA, ranked 2nd, which gives them an edge. My model projects a score of Braves 5, Royals 3. Therefore, the recommendation is to pick the Braves to win straight up.
The total for the game is set at 9.5 runs. The Braves’ pitching and the Royals’ lower slugging percentage, ranked 20th, suggest a lower scoring game. My model projects a total of 8 runs. Thus, the recommendation is to take the under on the total of 9.5 runs.
At 45, Hill Still Has Gas in the Tank
Kansas City Royals veteran left-hander Rich Hill is proving that age is just a number as he prepares to take the mound Monday night against the Atlanta Braves, a team he’s never lost to in his 20-year MLB career. The 45-year-old continues to deliver competitive outings, and now finds himself in a critical spot in the Royals’ rotation following injuries to Michael Lorenzen and All-Star Kris Bubic.
Hill (0-1, 1.80 ERA), who made his 2025 debut last week at Wrigley Field, gave up three runs (only one earned) over five innings in a 6-0 loss to the Cubs. Despite the outcome, he showed he can still compete at the highest level.
“That was really the big thing this season: knowing there was something left and knowing that I could contribute to a ballclub,” Hill told MLB.com.
Kansas City signed Hill in May, marking his 14th MLB team. He’s now the oldest player to appear in a game for the Royals.
Royals Gaining Momentum, Braves Headed the Other Way
The Royals are 13-8 in July, a major turnaround after going 8-18 in June. They’ve taken back-to-back series from the Cubs and Guardians, and are pushing back into AL playoff contention.
All-Star Maikel Garcia is leading the offense, batting .364 over the last six games with two homers and four RBIs. His solo shot Sunday helped Kansas City secure a 4-1 win over Cleveland.
Meanwhile, the Braves are in free fall. They’ve lost five straight and have been outscored 40-12 during that stretch. Their entire Opening Day rotation is on the injured list, and the offense has cooled dramatically.
“The games aren’t gonna stop because we lost our rotation,” manager Brian Snitker said after Sunday’s 8-1 loss to Texas.
Strider Faces Royals for the First Time
The Braves will start Spencer Strider (4-8, 3.72 ERA), who has been up and down all season. In his last outing, he gave up two home runs and three total runs across five innings in a 9-3 loss to San Francisco.
“It’s embarrassing, honestly,” said Strider. “We’ve had a million opportunities to adjust and just haven’t done it.”
This will be Strider’s first career appearance against Kansas City. Braves slugger Marcell Ozuna is mired in a 0-for-10 slump and is 1-for-7 lifetime against Hill.
Rich Hill’s Dominance Over Atlanta
Rich Hill has been dominant against the Braves, going 5-0 with a 2.63 ERA in 11 career appearances. Even without overpowering stuff, his veteran savvy and ability to mix speeds continues to frustrate hitters.
Meanwhile, Michael Harris II is one of Atlanta’s few bright spots, hitting .579 (11-for-19) with two homers and two triples over his last five games. He’s also 2-for-2 against Hill.