Royals vs Reds Preview: Underdogs Seek Spark in Week 62

The Kansas City Royals are in trouble right now. They're 22-37 and just lost six straight games. Their last ten games? Only two wins. They need this matchup badly. The Cincinnati Reds, meanwhile, are riding high at 30-28. They just beat Atlanta 6-4 on Sunday. The Reds are 15-14 at home—this is their house. You can feel the difference in momentum. Kansas City's pitching staff has real talent, but injuries are piling up. Cincinnati's young offense is hungry to keep winning. This game matters for both teams, but the Reds are the ones feeling confident.

Let me break down Kansas City's pitching story. Cole Ragans is their ace, but he's hurt. He just had a setback with his elbow during a rehab game. Kris Bubic has arm fatigue and isn't throwing yet. Carlos Estévez, their closer, is also sidelined with shoulder trouble. That leaves Luinder Avila to start Monday. The Royals' bullpen is trying to survive without their star closer. This is a staff fighting through injuries. Seth Lugo and Michael Wacha give them quality arms. But right now? The Royals are operating on fumes. Cincinnati's pitchers will see a weakened rotation coming at them.

Hunter Greene is Cincinnati's franchise pitcher, but he's still recovering from elbow surgery. He won't be back until July—that's two months away. Chase Burns gets the ball Monday. The Reds' offense is young and exciting. Elly De La Cruz, their shortstop, is a superstar when healthy, but he pulled his hamstring Sunday. He's getting an MRI to see if he can play. This is the Reds' window right now. Their pitching staff has questions with Greene out. But their hitters can score runs. Cincinnati's defense might take a hit if De La Cruz sits out. You want to see how the Reds' bats show up.