Royals vs Reds Preview: Battle of Bursting Arms in Week 62

Chase Burns takes the mound for Cincinnati against Kansas City's Stephen Kolek. The Reds need their ace to keep momentum rolling after a 4-3 win on Tuesday. Burns faces a Royals lineup hungry to bounce back from a tough loss. Kansas City's pitching has question marks with Cole Ragans sidelined and Carlos Estévez working his way back. The Reds' rotation feels the absence of Hunter Greene on the injured list. Both teams know pitching will decide this game. Every strike matters. Every out counts.

Kansas City just dropped one to Cincinnati 4-3 in ten innings. The Royals held a 3-0 lead but the Reds clawed back. Jake Steer hammered two home runs. Then Tanner Benson drove in the game-winner. Now Kansas City sits 23-38 and needs wins badly. Cincinnati stands 31-29 and senses the Royals are beatable. The Reds are rolling with that victory fresh. Kansas City wants revenge. This matchup has everything: urgency, momentum, and grit.

Kansas City is dealing with several big absences. Maikel Garcia is day-to-day with a hamstring strain. Cole Ragans just resumed throwing after his elbow issue. Jonathan India needs season-ending surgery. Cincinnati has injuries too. Elly De La Cruz landed on the injured list Monday with a hamstring strain. Hunter Greene threw his first bullpen since elbow surgery. Rhett Lowder starts his rehab assignment soon. Both teams fight through the injury shuffle. The team that stays healthy longest might win the series.