After a tough stretch on the road, the Kansas City Royals are finally coming home. And waiting for them at Kauffman Stadium is a three-game set against the Pittsburgh Pirates, a team presenting a very interesting, and potentially very winnable, matchup.
Pittsburgh Pirates vs Kansas City Royals – MLB Picks & Predictions – 7/7/25 – MLB Best Bets & Odds
On one hand, the Pirates field one of the least potent offenses in all of baseball. On the other, they boast some of the most electric young arms in the game. And to add a little spice to the series, they’ll be bringing a few very familiar faces back to Kansas City.
Here’s everything you need to know ahead of this interleague showdown.
What to Expect from the Pirates: A Tale of Two Units
The 2025 Pittsburgh Pirates are a study in contrasts. At 44-55, they are hovering below .500, and the reason is crystal clear when you look at the numbers.
The Struggling Offense
To put it bluntly, the Pirates struggle to score runs. They rank near the bottom of the league in nearly every significant offensive category, sitting at 27th in baseball with a team wRC+ of 88 (meaning they are 12% worse than the league-average offense).
Outside of a few key players like All-Star outfielder Bryan Reynolds and the towering, high-potential shortstop Oneil Cruz, this is not a lineup that will strike fear into the hearts of opposing pitchers. This presents a golden opportunity for the Royals’ pitching staff to get right and put together a string of quality starts.
The Electric Pitching
Now for the bad news. What the Pirates lack in hitting, they make up for with some absolutely electrifying arms. Royals hitters are about to face a massive test in the form of two of the game’s brightest young stars:
- Paul Skenes: The former No. 1 overall pick has lived up to every ounce of the hype. With a fastball that touches triple digits and a devastating “splinker,” Skenes has become must-see TV every time he takes the mound.
- Jared Jones: Not to be outdone, Jones also brings the heat with a high-octane fastball and a wicked slider.
Both Skenes and Jones are strikeout machines, meaning the Royals’ hitters will need to be disciplined at the plate to avoid getting overpowered. The Pirates’ bullpen follows a similar model, ranking among the league leaders in strikeout rate.
A Royal Reunion: Familiar Faces in Black and Gold
This series will also serve as a reunion tour, as three former Royals will be making their return to Kauffman Stadium in a visiting uniform.
- Aroldis Chapman: Remember the triple-digit heat of the “Cuban Missile”? Chapman, who briefly pitched for the Royals, is now a key setup man in the Pirates’ bullpen, still bringing his signature velocity.
- Yasmani Grandal: The veteran catcher, who spent a season in Kansas City, now provides a veteran presence behind the plate for Pittsburgh’s young pitching staff.
- Michael A. Taylor: A fan favorite and Gold Glove-winning center fielder for the Royals, “MAT” is now patrolling the outfield for the Pirates. Expect a warm reception from the crowd when he steps up to the plate.
Series Schedule & Probable Pitchers
Here’s how the three-game series at Kauffman Stadium lines up:
- Monday, July 7 | 6:40 PM CT
- Probable Starters: RHP Paul Skenes (6-3, 2.19 ERA) vs. RHP Brady Singer (5-6, 4.01 ERA)
- Tuesday, July 8 | 6:40 PM CT
- Probable Starters: RHP Jared Jones (7-7, 3.65 ERA) vs. LHP Daniel Lynch IV (3-3, 4.56 ERA)
- Wednesday, July 9 | 1:10 PM CT
- Probable Starters: LHP Bailey Falter (4-5, 4.09 ERA) vs. RHP Seth Lugo (10-4, 3.69 ERA)
This series is the definition of a stoppable force meeting a movable object. Can the Royals’ offense scratch out enough runs against Pittsburgh’s formidable young pitchers? Or will the Pirates’ struggling lineup find life against the Royals’ staff? It should be a fascinating series to watch unfold.
