Kansas City Royals vs Chi. Cubs Cubs Picks and Predictions July 28th 2024

Royals and Cole Ragans Aim for Series Win Against Cubs

The Kansas City Royals are gearing up to end their homestand on a high note with a series win over the Chicago Cubs. As they head into the final game of their three-game series, the Royals are looking to bounce back after a recent loss.

Royals’ Recent Performance and Key Players

The Royals have been in good form since the All-Star break, with a 5-2 record before Saturday’s 9-4 loss. This recent success has been fueled by strong pitching and timely hitting, with three of Kansas City’s starters ranking among the American League’s top 15 in ERA.

Cole Ragans (7-6, 3.23 ERA): Sunday’s starter, Ragans, has been a standout in the Royals’ rotation. He has a solid history against the Cubs, including a win on August 18, 2023. Ragans is coming off a solid performance against the Arizona Diamondbacks, where he allowed just three runs over six innings.

Offensive Contributors:

• Adam Frazier: Known for his clutch hitting, Frazier has been a key player in the Royals’ lineup since the All-Star break. He has reached base in seven of his last 10 games and recently had his first multi-RBI game since May.
• Hunter Renfroe: Renfroe has been on fire, driving in eight runs in eight games since the break. He’s batting .300 over 48 games, showing significant improvement from earlier in the season.

Cubs’ Challenges and Recent Moves

The Chicago Cubs are looking for their first series win since sweeping the Baltimore Orioles in early July. Despite some lineup improvements through recent trades, the team continues to grapple with pitching issues.

Javier Assad (4-3, 3.15 ERA): Assad will be starting for the Cubs, facing the Royals for the first time. Despite control issues in his last outing, where he walked six batters in 3 1/3 innings, Assad has shown potential, including a notable performance where he pitched six shutout innings against the Atlanta Braves earlier this season.

Trade and New Acquisitions: The Cubs recently acquired right-hander Nate Pearson from the Toronto Blue Jays, aiming to boost their bullpen. With a career ERA of 5.21, Pearson is seen as a work in progress with significant potential.

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Game Preview and What to Watch

As the Royals aim for a series win and the Cubs look to regain their footing, Sunday’s game is set to be a crucial matchup. The Royals’ offense, led by Frazier and Renfroe, will challenge a Cubs pitching staff that’s still finding its rhythm despite new additions.

Adding to the day’s events, former Brewers star Ryan Braun will throw a ceremonial first pitch, celebrating his induction into the Brewers Walk of Fame. This highlights the day’s festive atmosphere and Braun’s significant contributions to the game.