Kansas City Royals vs Cleveland Guardians Picks and Predictions July 25th 2025

Kansas City Royals vs Cleveland Guardians July 25th 2025

The Cleveland Guardians head to Kauffman Stadium to take on the Kansas City Royals. The game is set for Friday, July 25, 2025, at 8:10 PM. Fans can catch the action on APLTV. The weather forecast calls for a very hot day with a light breeze and broken clouds.

Both teams are in the AL Central division. The Guardians have a season record of 51-51 and are 8 games back in the division. The Royals hold a 50-53 record, trailing by 9 games. Gavin Williams will start for the Guardians, bringing a 3.54 ERA. Michael Wacha will pitch for the Royals, with a 3.62 ERA.

Guardians vs Royals Key Information

• Sport: Baseball
• Teams: Cleveland Guardians vs. Kansas City Royals
• Venue: Kauffman Stadium in Kansas City, MO
• Date: Friday, July 25, 2025
• Betting Odds: Guardians Moneyline -101, Royals Moneyline -117, Guardians Runline -1.5 (+160), Royals Runline +1.5 (-196), Total Over 8.5 (-107), Total Under 8.5 (-113)

The Guardians Can Win If…

The Cleveland Guardians are coming off a narrow 4-3 loss to the Baltimore Orioles. Despite the loss, Steven Kwan had a standout performance with two home runs. José Ramírez also contributed with two hits, showcasing his consistent form.

The Guardians’ pitching staff has been a strong point this season. With an ERA of 3.92, they rank 16th in the league. Gavin Williams, their starting pitcher for the next game, has an ERA of 3.54 and has shown he can limit runs effectively.

Offensively, the Guardians have power in their lineup. They rank 16th in home runs this season with 108. José Ramírez leads the team with 21 home runs and can be a game-changer at the plate.

The Royals Can Win If…

The Kansas City Royals are coming off a strong 8-4 win against the Chicago Cubs. Vinnie Pasquantino led the charge with two home runs and four RBIs. Salvador Perez and Tyler Tolbert also contributed with home runs, helping the Royals secure the victory.

The Royals have shown they can hit for power, ranking fifth in the league with 180 doubles. Their pitching has also been solid, with a team ERA of 3.50, ranking second in the league. Michael Wacha, with an ERA of 3.62, will take the mound, aiming to continue the team’s strong pitching performance.

Key players like Bobby Witt Jr. and Vinnie Pasquantino bring depth to the lineup. Witt Jr. has a batting average of .288 with 14 home runs, while Pasquantino has 17 home runs. With a balanced offense and strong pitching, the Royals have the tools to secure another win.

The Lean

The Royals are favored with a moneyline of -117, while the Guardians are at -101. With the Royals’ strong pitching, ranked 2nd in ERA, they have the edge. The model projects a score of Royals 5, Guardians 3. This suggests taking the Royals on the moneyline.

The total for the game is set at 8.5 runs. The model projects a combined score of 8 runs. Both teams have struggled with hitting, ranking lower in slugging percentage. This indicates taking the under 8.5 runs is a solid choice.

St. Louis Regains Offensive Spark in Wild-Card Push

After a tough post-break slump, the St. Louis Cardinals exploded for a much-needed 9-7 win over the San Diego Padres on Thursday night, snapping a stretch of 13 losses in 18 games. The win pulled the Cardinals within 2.5 games of the Padres for the final National League wild-card spot.

The power display featured home runs from Willson Contreras, Brendan Donovan, and Ivan Herrera, while rookie Victor Scott II showed maturity at the plate with two walks and a stolen base.

“Especially after that road trip, you wanted to come out a little stronger,” said manager Oliver Marmol. “We needed the offense to get going. I liked our approach today — focus, execution, detail — it was all there.”

Cardinals Lean on Bats as Mikolas Struggles

The Cardinals will need to keep the offense rolling as veteran right-hander Miles Mikolas (5-8, 5.20 ERA) takes the mound Friday. Mikolas has struggled of late, allowing five or more runs in three of his last four starts. Still, he holds a solid 3.00 ERA in eight career starts against the Padres — the team that originally brought him to the majors.

St. Louis, sitting on the edge of contention, knows every series counts. The next 10 days will see the Cardinals and Padres face off seven times — a stretch that could swing the wild-card race in either direction.

For fans tracking the race, check the updated MLB standings and wild-card implications daily.

Padres Turn to Red-Hot Pivetta to Halt Skid

The Padres, losers of three straight, will rely on the arm of Nick Pivetta (10-2, 2.81 ERA), who has been nearly untouchable lately. Over his last five starts, he’s allowed only two earned runs across 31.1 innings. Pivetta enters with momentum and a 3.47 ERA in six career starts vs. St. Louis.

“Nick has been outstanding,” manager Mike Shildt told KMOX. “He’s pounding the zone, working quickly — everything you want.”

Pivetta echoed that mindset: “It’s about limiting damage and filling up the zone. If I keep throwing zeros, the wins will come.”

Despite recent injuries to the rotation, the Padres remain firmly in the playoff picture. For betting angles and expert insight, visit the latest MLB picks and previews from Scores and Stats.

Key Stretch Ahead for Both Contenders

This series could help define both teams’ trajectories heading into August. The Cardinals are rediscovering their offensive rhythm, while the Padres need consistency from their pitching staff to remain above the wild-card line. With two high-powered lineups and tight margins, each game promises critical implications in the NL playoff picture.