Kansas City Royals vs Tampa Bay Rays June 25th 2025
The Tampa Bay Rays will visit the Kansas City Royals at Kauffman Stadium for a night game on Wednesday, June 25, 2025. The game is set to start at 7:40 PM and will be aired on FDSSU. The weather forecast predicts a very hot day with a light breeze and scattered clouds.
The Rays, managed by Kevin Cash, hold a 44-35 record this season and are just 1 game back in the AL East. On the mound, Drew Rasmussen will start for Tampa Bay, bringing an ERA of 2.61. The Royals, led by Matt Quatraro, have a 38-41 record and are 11 games back in the AL Central. Michael Wacha will pitch for Kansas City, with an ERA of 3.24.
Rays vs Royals Key Information
- Sport: Baseball
- Teams: Tampa Bay Rays vs. Kansas City Royals
- Venue: Kauffman Stadium in Kansas City, MO
- Date: Wednesday, June 25, 2025
- Betting Odds: Rays -127, Royals +106
The Rays Can Win If…
The Tampa Bay Rays recently secured a 5-1 win against the Kansas City Royals. Taj Bradley had a standout performance, pitching 6 2/3 innings and allowing only two hits. Key hitters like Yandy Díaz and Jonathan Aranda contributed with multiple hits, helping the team achieve 11 hits in total.
The Rays have a strong batting lineup, with a team batting average of .256, ranking third in the league. They also lead the league in stolen bases with 104, showing their speed on the base paths. Their pitching staff is solid too, with a team ERA of 3.56, ranking eighth in the league.
Junior Caminero is a key player to watch, with 19 home runs and a .521 slugging percentage. Yandy Díaz also adds power with his .289 batting average and 12 home runs. With Drew Rasmussen on the mound, sporting a 2.61 ERA, the Rays have a good chance to win their upcoming game.
The Royals Can Win If…
The Kansas City Royals are looking to bounce back after their recent 5-1 loss to the Tampa Bay Rays. Despite the loss, Kris Bubic showed strong pitching with eight strikeouts over six innings. Maikel Garcia and Vinnie Pasquantino contributed with key hits, and the team will aim to build on these performances.
One reason the Royals can win is their solid pitching staff. They have a team ERA of 3.40, ranking 4th in the league, and they are 2nd in quality starts with 38. Michael Wacha, with an ERA of 3.24, is set to start, providing a reliable presence on the mound.
Offensively, the Royals have several players who can make a difference. Maikel Garcia is hitting .311, and Vinnie Pasquantino leads the team with 11 home runs. With Bobby Witt Jr. and Salvador Perez also in the lineup, the Royals have the potential to generate runs and secure a win.
The Lean
The Rays are favored with a moneyline of -127 against the Royals at +106. The Rays have a strong batting average and rank third in the league. Their pitching is solid with an ERA of 3.40, ranking fourth. Based on these stats, the model projects a Rays win with a score of 5-3.
The over/under line is set at 9.0. The Rays’ pitching strength and the Royals’ lower slugging percentage suggest a lower-scoring game. The model projects a total score of 8, so the recommendation is to take the under 9.0.
Surging Rays Look to Compound Royals’ Home Misery
Two teams on completely different paths will clash on Wednesday night as the surging Tampa Bay Rays continue their series in Kansas City against a Kansas City Royals team that is mired in a miserable home slump. Tampa Bay will look to continue its dominance while the Royals are desperate to find a way to win in their own ballpark.
The Kauffman Conundrum
The Royals are in the midst of a brutal stretch at home, having lost eight consecutive games at Kauffman Stadium dating back to May 31. During this home rut, they have been outscored by a staggering 84-34. The offense has been the primary culprit, managing just four hits in Tuesday’s 5-1 series-opening loss.
“Going into the year, they expected to be a good team, they’ve played that way the last few weeks,” Royals manager Matt Quatraro said of the challenge the Rays present. Despite the struggles, the players are trying to stay positive. “We’ve just got to trust ourselves and trust each other,” said pitcher Noah Cameron.
Road Warriors
While the Royals can’t win at home, the Rays are proving they can win anywhere. They are in the midst of a 23-9 stretch that has solidified them as one of the best teams in the American League. Their offense is firing on all cylinders, led by Yandy Diaz, who extended his hitting streak to 14 games on Tuesday. The team’s confidence is sky-high. “We’re a good ballclub,” Diaz said. The psychology of a team that is slumping at home versus one that is thriving on the road is a key topic in our expert betting guide.

A Duel with a Backstory
Wednesday’s pitching matchup features two veteran right-handers with interesting narratives. The Royals will start Michael Wacha (4-6, 3.24 ERA), who is coming off a great bounce-back start and will be facing one of his former teams in the Rays.
Tampa Bay will counter with Drew Rasmussen (6-5, 2.61 ERA). Rasmussen has had an excellent season but is looking for a measure of revenge after taking a 3-0 loss to these same Royals back in April. This pitching duel is a key focus on the scores and odds board.
Can KC Score?
The entire game hinges on whether the Royals’ anemic offense can generate any support for their starter. As they face one of the top MLB teams in the league, the pressure is mounting in Kansas City. To see if our experts think the Royals can finally snap their home skid, check out our daily MLB picks.