The Kansas City Royals and the Tampa Bay Rays meet Monday in MLB action from Tropicana Field. We will look at this from a betting perspective and determine the best bets for this game. Here’s a Kansas City Royals vs. Tampa Bay Rays prediction.
Starting Pitching Matchup
The Kansas City Royals will send out Michael Wacha for the start here and Wacha is 4-5 with a 3.64 ERA and 72 strikeouts this season. Drew Rasmussen will start for the Rays and is 6-3 with a 2.59 ERA and 84 strikeouts this season.
Kansas City Royals Recap
The Kansas City Royals come into this game looking to bounce back from their 12-10 loss at the hands of the Cardinals last time out to sit at 32-46 this season. After this series, the Royals will head on the road for a series against the Chicago White Sox.
Royals Have Three-Game Win Streak Snapped
Kyle Isbel has 40 hits with 3 home runs and 11 RBIs. Jac Caglianone has 67 hits with 12 doubles, 12 home runs, 27 RBIs and a triple while Bobby Witt Jr. has 88 hits with 19 doubles, 10 home runs and 32 RBIs and Vinnie Pasquantino’s added 57 hits with 10 doubles, 2 triples, 6 home runs and 32 RBIs on the year. Maikel Garcia also has 69 hits with 16 doubles, 3 home runs and 30 RBIs this season. Carter Jensen’s also chipped in 58 hits with 16 doubles, 10 home runs and 39 RBIs this season.
Tampa Bay Rays Recap
The Tampa Bay Rays come into this game looking to add on to their 4-3 win over the Washington Nationals last time out to sit at 43-31 this season. After this series, the Rays will take on the Arizona Diamondbacks in a series at home.
Rays Alternate Wins & Losses In 4 Straight
Yandy Diaz has 89 hits with 12 doubles, a triple, 12 home runs and 49 RBIs while Chandler Simpson has 70 hits with 4 triples and 15 RBIs. Nick Fortes has 43 hits with 10 doubles, a home run and 14 RBIs and Jonathan Aranda has 73 hits with 10 doubles, 12 homers and 51 RBIs. Junior Caminero’s also added 78 hits with 12 doubles, 15 home runs and 34 RBIs.
Kansas City Royals @ Tampa Bay Rays Betting Trends: June 22, 2026
- Probable Starting Pitcher: Drew Rasmussen Record this season: 6-3 ERA: 2.59
- Home Record: 4-1
- Last 5 against Royals: 3-1
Why the Tampa Bay Rays will win
- The Royals have lost each of their last 11 night games against American League opponents following a loss.
- The Rays have won eight of their last nine night games at Tropicana Field following a win.
- The Royals have failed to cover the run line in each of their last 12 night games against American League opponents following a loss.
- The Rays have covered the run line in seven of their last eight games as favorites against AL Central opponents following a win.
- The Royals have trailed after 3 innings in seven of their last eight road games against AL East opponents.
- The Royals have lost the first inning in each of their last three games.
- The Royals have trailed after 5 innings in each of their last seven road games against American League opponents that held a winning record.
- Probable Starting Pitcher: Michael Wacha Record this season: 4-5 ERA: 3.64
- Road Record: 1-3
- Last 5 against Rays: 2-2
Why the Kansas City Royals will win
- The road team has won each of the last seven games between the Royals and Rays.
- The Rays have lost five of their last six games as favorites following a win.
- The road team has covered the run line in each of the last seven games between the Royals and Rays.
- The Rays have failed to cover the run line in seven of their last eight home games against the Royals following a win.
- The Rays have trailed after 3 innings in each of their last four games against AL Central opponents.
- The Rays have trailed after 5 innings in each of their last four games against AL Central opponents.
Total Runs Facts
- Each of the Rays’ last six night games after playing the previous day have gone UNDER the total runs line.
- Each of the Royals’ last six night games after playing the previous day have gone OVER the total runs line.
- There has been at least one run scored in the first inning in each of the Royals’ last 10 games as road underdogs against American League opponents.
- There has been at least one run scored in the first inning in each of the Rays’ last seven Monday night games at Tropicana Field.
Tampa Bay Rays Player Prop Facts
- Yandy Diaz has hit at least one home run in six of his last 14 home appearances against opponents that held a losing record.
- Drew Rasmussen has recorded a win in four of his last five appearances against opponents that held a losing record.
- Taylor Walls has recorded at least one hit in each of his last nine appearances with the Rays as favorites.
- Drew Rasmussen has recorded six or more strikeouts in four of his last five appearances.
- Yandy Diaz is one of only two players to hit over .300 and have 45+ RBIs this season.
Kansas City Royals Player Prop Facts
- Michael Wacha has recorded six or more strikeouts in each of his last five appearances against the Rays.
- Bobby Witt Jr. has recorded at least one hit in each of the Royals’ last nine road games against the Rays.
- Bobby Witt Jr. has hit a home run in three of the Royals’ last four games against AL opponents that held a winning record.
Matchup/League Facts
- The Rays rank 30th in the league for home runs this season (62).
- The Rays rank 1st in the league for strikeouts against this season (540).
- The Royals rank 3rd in the league for doubles this season (137).
- The Royals rank T25th in the league for walks allowed this season (295).
Kansas City Royals vs. Tampa Bay Rays Prediction
I’m on the Royals here. I think that Wacha is the pitcher in better form right now and while the Rays can be a tough out at the Trop, I’m not buying what they’re necessarily selling right now. They’ve been inconsistent and Wacha has proven to be a pitcher at the top of this Royals rotation that can eat up 6-7 solid innings and put the Royals in a spot to win. Give me Kansas City.