Royals vs Rays Preview: Pitching Duel in Week 65

Tampa Bay is cooking at Tropicana Field with a 26-10 home record. The Rays sit at 43-31 overall and just won their last game. Kansas City arrives in Florida with momentum of their own—they've won three straight. But the Royals are 32-45 on the season and need these road wins badly. The Rays' bats have been clicking lately, and their pitching depth keeps opponents off balance. This matchup matters for both teams pushing toward the stretch run. You'll see two squads desperate to build on what's working right now.

Michael Wacha is your starter for Kansas City, and the veteran pitcher brings experience from everywhere in baseball. He's pitched for the Cardinals, Mets, Rays, Red Sox, and Padres before landing with the Royals. This season, Wacha owns a 4.09 ERA with 14 strikeouts. He's got the know-how to survive in tough spots. Tampa's lineup is dangerous, especially at home where they've won so much. Wacha will need to attack the zone early and keep the Rays' hitters guessing.

Drew Rasmussen is Tampa's pitcher, and he's been fantastic in 2025. The All-Star right-hander owns a sparkling 0.71 ERA with 30 strikeouts. His WHIP of 0.56 means he's not giving up many hits or walks. This is Rasmussen's first All-Star season, and he's proving why Tampa believes in him. Kansas City's lineup will have to be patient and disciplined against his sharp stuff. The Royals are missing some key players to injuries, which makes scoring tough. Rasmussen could dominate early if Kansas City can't find their timing.