Kansas City Royals at Chicago Cubs: 2025 Series Finale Featuring Lugo vs. Rea

Wednesday, July 23rd, 2025

Kansas City Royals at Chicago Cubs: Game Preview

The Kansas City Royals (49-53, fourth in the AL Central) visit the Chicago Cubs (60-41, first in the NL Central) on Wednesday, July 23, 2025, with first pitch scheduled for 1:20 PM CT in Chicago. This game marks the third time these teams match up this season, with the winner claiming the three-game series.

Pitching Matchup

Royals: Seth Lugo (6-5, 2.94 ERA, 1.09 WHIP, 93 strikeouts)

Cubs: Colin Rea (8-3, 3.80 ERA, 1.28 WHIP, 70 strikeouts)

Odds and Betting Information

Cubs -147, Royals +123; over/under is 10 1/2 runs

Team Insights

Chicago Cubs

Chicago has a 60-41 record overall and a 33-18 record at home. The Cubs have the sixth-ranked team ERA in the NL at 3.83.

Kansas City Royals

Kansas City has a 25-27 record in road games and a 49-53 record overall. The Royals are 36-11 in games when they out-hit their opponents.

Top Performers

Cubs Key Players

Kyle Tucker has 19 doubles, four triples, 18 home runs and 57 RBI for the Cubs. Carson Kelly is 12 for 35 with three doubles, three home runs and five RBI over the past 10 games.

Royals Key Players

Maikel Garcia has a .291 batting average to lead the Royals, and has 26 doubles, three triples and eight home runs. Salvador Perez is 14 for 36 with six home runs and eight RBI over the past 10 games.

Recent Form (Last 10 Games)

Chicago Cubs

6-4 record, .248 batting average, 3.78 ERA, outscored opponents by two runs

Kansas City Royals

5-5 record, .252 batting average, 3.78 ERA, outscored by two runs

Injuries

Chicago Cubs Injuries

Porter Hodge: 15-Day IL (shoulder), Jameson Taillon: 15-Day IL (calf), Miguel Amaya: 10-Day IL (oblique), Eli Morgan: 60-Day IL (elbow), Javier Assad: 60-Day IL (oblique), Justin Steele: 60-Day IL (elbow)

Kansas City Royals Injuries

Michael Lorenzen: 15-Day IL (oblique), Cole Ragans: 60-Day IL (rotator cuff), Mark Canha: 10-Day IL (elbow), Daniel Lynch: 15-Day IL (elbow), Michael Massey: 10-Day IL (ankle), Hunter Harvey: 60-Day IL (shoulder), Alec Marsh: 60-Day IL (shoulder), James McArthur: 60-Day IL (elbow)

In summary

The Kansas City Royals and Chicago Cubs are set to conclude their three-game series on Wednesday, July 23, 2025. The Cubs, leading the NL Central with a 60-41 record, will host the Royals (49-53). Seth Lugo is scheduled to start for the Royals against Colin Rea for the Cubs. Chicago enters the game as the favorite with a -147 line, while the over/under is set at 10 1/2 runs. Key offensive contributors include Kyle Tucker and Carson Kelly for the Cubs, and Maikel Garcia and Salvador Perez for the Royals. Both teams have had similar performance in their last 10 games, with ERAs around 3.78, indicating a closely matched series finale.

Related Links

• Kansas City Royals News & Updates
• Kansas City Royals Schedule & Scores
• Chicago Cubs News & Updates
• Chicago Cubs Schedule & Scores
• MLB News