The Chicago Cubs host the Kansas City Royals on July 21, 2025. First pitch from Wrigley Field is scheduled for 8:05 p.m. ET; the game will be broadcast on MLB Network.
Find my MLB betting preview and Royals vs Cubs prediction below, as well as probable pitchers, betting trends, injury reports, and more.
My Royals vs Cubs Prediction
- Royals vs Cubs pick: Cubs Moneyline -148 (Play to -155)
My Royals vs Cubs best bet is on Cubs moneyline. Make sure to find the best odds by checking our live MLB odds page.
Royals vs Cubs Odds
| Royals Odds | ||
|---|---|---|
| Spread | Total | Moneyline |
+1.5 -170 | 7.5 -105o / -115u | +125 |
| Cubs Odds | ||
|---|---|---|
| Spread | Total | Moneyline |
-1.5 +145 | 7.5 -105o / -115u | -150 |
Royals vs Cubs Projected Starting Pitchers
| Noah Cameron (KC) | Stat | Ryan Brasier (Opener, CHC) |
|---|---|---|
| 3-4 | W-L | 0-0 |
| 1.2 | fWAR (FanGraphs) | 0.4 |
| 2.31/3.17 | ERA /xERA | 1.04/3.64 |
| 3.68/3.95 | FIP / xFIP | 1.99/3.11 |
| 1.00 | WHIP | 0.92 |
| 13.1 | K-BB% | 17.2 |
| 45.6 | GB% | 44.7 |
| 94 | Stuff+ | 95 |
| 102 | Location+ | 102 |
Doug Ziefel’s Royals vs Cubs Preview
Royals Betting Preview: Royals Cooling Off
The Kansas City Royals came out of the All-Star break with some thunder, as they put up 15 runs over three games against the Marlins this past weekend.
However, they dropped two of those matchups, and they're now bound to cool off as they head to start a series at Wrigley Field.
The Royals have been dreadful against right-handed pitching this season, as they rank 27th in wRC+. Tonight, the Cubs are going to rely on their bullpen, with Ryan Brasier as the opener, and the recently recalled Ben Brown should take the bulk of the middle innings.
While Brown has yet to show consistency at the big league level, the wind should help him tonight against this Kansas City lineup. The Royals have the second-highest fly ball rate against righties in the majors.
With somewhat strong winds expected to blow in during this matchup, we shouldn't see much power from the Royals tonight.
Cubs Betting Preview: Can Cubs Pounce on Cameron?
As for the Cubs, they're rolling into this series, having taken four of their last five games against the likes of the Yankees and Red Sox.
Chicago has been one of the premier offensive teams in the National League this season, and it's done more than its fair share of damage against lefties.
The Cubbies are sixth in wRC+ and fourth in ISO against left-handed pitching, and tonight, they get to face a young lefty in Noah Cameron, who's due for some regression.
Cameron has been everything the Royals have needed him to be in the absence of Cole Ragans, as he's pitched to a 2.31 ERA and holds a 1.00 WHIP in 12 starts.
However, Cameron has struggled to put opposing hitters away at times despite having an above-average CSW. His mistakes in command have often been in the zone, which has led to a great deal of hard contact made against him, and that's not a recipe for success when facing the Cubs.
Look for Chicago to get to Cameron early and build a lead that should prove to be insurmountable.
Royals vs Cubs Prediction, Betting Analysis
We've seen the market come in with solid support for the Cubs and the under.
While the under is intriguing, given the wind playing a significant factor tonight, the impending regression of Cameron and the high-traffic Brown, this makes 7.5 feel like a bit of an overcorrection.
I'm opting to back the Cubs to come out on top in this one, as their lineup has proven to be much more reliable and their right-handed arms on the mound profile for success.
Pick: Cubs Moneyline
Moneyline
Take the Cubs on the moneyline.
Run Line (Spread)
I have no play on the run line.
Over/Under
I have no play on the Royals vs. Cubs total.
