The Chicago Cubs host the Kansas City Royals on July 23, 2025. First pitch from Wrigley Field is scheduled for 2:20 p.m. ET; the game will be broadcast on MARQ.
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: F5 Over 5.5 (-115)
My Royals vs Cubs best bet is the over for the first five innings. Make sure to find the best odds by checking our live MLB odds page.
Royals vs Cubs Odds, Spread
| Royals Odds | ||
|---|---|---|
| Spread | Total | Moneyline |
+1.5 -150 | 10.5 -106o / -115u | +128 |
| Cubs Odds | ||
|---|---|---|
| Spread | Total | Moneyline |
-1.5 +123 | 10.5 -106o / -115u | -157 |
Royals vs Cubs Projected Starting Pitchers
| Seth Lugo (KC) | Stat | Colin Rea (CHC) |
|---|---|---|
| 6-5 | W-L | 8-3 |
| 1.0 | fWAR (FanGraphs) | 0.5 |
| 2.94 / 4.71 | ERA /xERA | 3.80 / 4.93 |
| 4.37 / 4.06 | FIP / xFIP | 4.72 / 4.48 |
| 1.09 | WHIP | 1.28 |
| 14.5 | K-BB% | 10.7 |
| 39.1 | GB% | 36.3 |
| 95 | Stuff+ | 94 |
| 97 | Location+ | 100 |
Royals vs Cubs Prediction, Betting Analysis
By: Nick Galaida
The weather appears to be great for hitters today at Wrigley Field, with winds forecasted to be blowing out at 11 mph to left field and the temperature around 90 degrees at first pitch.
On the bump today, Seth Lugo and Colin Rea are both fly-ball prone pitchers. Lugo has allowed a staggering 16.2% barrel rate and 47.1% hard-hit rate during the last month of action.
He draws a tough matchup against a Chicago lineup that leads all of baseball in fly-ball percentage against right-handed pitching during the last 14 days.
Both right-handed and left-handed batters have put the ball in the air for more than 60% of their balls in play against Rea in 2025. Last time Rea pitched at home with similar weather conditions, he allowed seven earned runs and four home runs against the Mariners.
We should see both of these offenses have success early in this game, especially if they're able to get the ball in the air.
Pick: F5 Over 5.5 (-115)
Royals vs Cubs Betting Trends
