Tampa Bay Rays vs Kansas City Royals Prediction, Preview and Odds - 06/24/2025

Game Time: 7:40 pm ET, Tuesday, June 24, 2025

Venue:  Kauffman Stadium, Kansas City, MO

Where to Watch:  FDSSUN, FDSKC

DraftKings:  Moneyline odds:  Rays +118, Royals -144; Over/Under:  9 runs

Bet365:  Moneyline odds:  Rays +120, Royals -145; Over/Under:  8.5 runs

BetMGM:  Moneyline odds:  Rays +120, Royals -145; Over/Under:  8.5 runs

Tampa Bay Rays:  43-35 (2nd place, AL East)

Kansas City Royals:  38-40 (3rd place, AL Central)

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Tampa Bay Rays:  7-3 last 10

Kansas City Royals:  4-6 last 10

The Rays are entering this series off a loss and won their 3-game series against the Detroit Tigers 2-1 in their last series. They enter this game with a 43-35 record overall and have a road record of 16-12. This is the series opener of a 3-game series with the Royals on Tuesday and they have Monday off as a day of rest. Their offense ranks 11th in the MLB with a .727 OPS. Zack Littell was their starting pitcher on Sunday while Taj Bradley is making his start in this game on Tuesday. He is 4-5 with a 4.95 ERA this season. His team won their last 2 straight games this season with him making an appearance. In his last MLB regular season start, he allowed 6 ER, 2 HR, and 1 BB with 2 SO on 6 hits through 1.1 IP against the Baltimore Orioles.

The Royals are entering this series off a loss and lost their 3-game series against the San Diego Padres 2-1 in their last series. They enter this game with a 38-40 record overall and have a home record of 19-19. This is the 1st game of a 3-game series with the Rays on Tuesday and they have Monday off as a day of rest. Their offense ranks 26th in the MLB with a .672 OPS. Seth Lugo was their starting pitcher on Sunday while Kris Bubic is making his start in this game on Tuesday. He is 6-4 with a 2.12 ERA this season. His team lost 2 of their last 3 games this season with him making an appearance. In his last MLB regular season start, he allowed 3 earned runs, 0 homers, and 1 walk with 6 strikeouts on 9 hits through 5.1 innings pitched against the Texas Rangers.

The current betting odds have the Royals listed as a favorite in this game according to Draftkings Sportsbook. The Royals haven't looked great in their games this season with their 38-40 record overall which has them right near the bottom of the AL Central. They haven't looked that great in their own ballpark either with their 19-19 home record. Meanwhile, the Rays have looked good in their games this season with their 43-35 record overall which has them right near the top of the AL East. They have also been a good road team with their 16-12 road record this season. The Rays are coming into this series as the much hotter team lately as they are 7-3 in their last 10 games while the Royals are only 4-6, but the Royals do have the better pitching matchup here and can take advantage of that. Bubic is on the mound for the Royals in this one and he has pretty much been their ace this season. He is 6-4 with a 2.12 ERA and hasn't been giving up many runs lately. He did give up 3 earned runs in his last start, but that hasn't been a common theme for him this year and he will be looking to bounce back at home, especially since the team has lost 2 of their last 3 games with him starting even though he has pitched well in those. The Rays are going with Bradley here and he hasn't looked great this season. He is 4-5 with a 4.95 ERA and he has been giving up more runs lately. He gave up 6 earned runs in his last start even though the team won that game, but he isn't going to be any better on the road now. This is a good situation for the Royals to get a much needed win. The best way to place a bet here is on the Royals to win this game. 

Rays Royals Prediction:  Our MLB Pick for Tuesday, June 24, 2025 (7:40 pm ET start time) is Royals 4 Rays 2.

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Tampa Bay Rays: 221-182 (+11.9 units) on the moneyline in all games. 99-90 (+9.9 units) on the moneyline in road games. 55-40 (+11 units) on the moneyline against left-handed starters. 8-4 UNDER revenging a same season 3 game sweep at the hands of their opponents.

Kansas City Royals: 34-55 (-11.2 units) on the moneyline against AL East opponents. 182-225 (-17.5 units) on the moneyline in all games. 96-105 (-9.2 units) on the moneyline in home games. 33-21 UNDER after a one run loss.

Tampa Bay Rays:  M. Rodriguez (RP) Fifteen Day IL - Forearm. J. DeLuca (CF) Sixty Day IL - Shoulder. H. Kim (SS) Sixty Day IL - Shoulder. H. Bigge (RP) Fifteen Day IL - Lat. S. McClanahan (SP) Sixty Day IL - Triceps. R. Palacios (LF) Ten Day IL - Knee. A. Faedo (RP) Sixty Day IL - Shoulder. N. Lavender (RP) Sixty Day IL - Elbow.

Kansas City Royals:  C. Ragans (SP) Fifteen Day IL - Rotator Cuff. M. Massey (2B) Ten Day IL - Ankle. H. Harvey (RP) Sixty Day IL - Shoulder. A. Marsh (SP) Sixty Day IL - Shoulder. J. McArthur (RP) Sixty Day IL - Elbow. K. Wright (SP) Fifteen Day IL - Shoulder.

“Just given the off-day, the matchup, them turning the lineup back over with Carpenter and Greene -- those guys are really good. I thought Lit gave us every opportunity and felt like, where our bullpen was, that we could try to shorten the game a little bit.” - Kevin Cash after his team’s loss against the Tigers in their game on Sunday.

“I had no idea if he was going to be able to get it. But it was a tremendous play.” - Matt Quatraro after his team’s loss against the Padres in their game on Sunday.

Yandy Díaz (R) DH

Brandon Lowe (L) 2B

Junior Caminero (R) 3B

Jonathan Aranda (L) 1B

Jake Mangum (S) CF

Josh Lowe (L) RF

José Caballero (R) SS

Matt Thaiss (L) C

Christopher Morel (R) LF

Jonathan India (R) 2B

Bobby Witt Jr. (R) SS

Maikel Garcia (R) 3B

Vinnie Pasquantino (L) 1B

Salvador Perez (R) DH

Jac Caglianone (L) RF

Drew Waters (S) LF

Freddy Fermin (R) C

Kyle Isbel (L) CF

Batting Average:  Richie Palacios (.750)

Hits:  Yandy Díaz (83)

Home Runs:  Junior Caminero (19)

RBI:  Junior Caminero (50)

Stolen Bases:  José Caballero (29)

Wins:  Shane Baz (7)

Saves:  Pete Fairbanks (13)

ERA:  Joe Boyle (0.00)

Batting Average:  Luke Maile (.375)

Hits:  Bobby Witt (87)

Home Runs:  Vinnie Pasquantino (11)

RBI:  Vinnie Pasquantino (41)

Stolen Bases:  Bobby Witt (21)

Wins:  Kris Bubic (6)

Saves:  Carlos Estévez (22)

ERA:  Hunter Harvey (0.00)

Managers:

Tampa Bay Rays: Kevin Cash (11th season)

Kansas City Royals: Matt Quatraro (3rd season)