Royals vs Rangers Picks and Prediction – 6/18/2025

This Tuesday, Seth Lugo takes the mound for the Kansas City Royals as they look to rebound from a 3-2 loss against the Athletics on Sunday. Get our free MLB Picks all season long! Lugo, who’s been solid all season, brings consistency and command but will need run support to snap Kansas City’s recent slide and keep pace in a tight division race.

Offensively, the Royals have leaned on Bobby Witt Jr. and Vinnie Pasquantino to ignite rallies. They’ve struggled in close games lately, and that pressure may mount again in Arlington. If their bats stay cold early, it could be a long night against a tough opposing pitcher.

Jack Leiter gets the ball for the Texas Rangers after a strong outing in their 2-1 win over the White Sox on Sunday. Leiter has been steadily improving in his rookie season, showing better control and an increased strikeout rate. Facing a contact-heavy Royals lineup, he’ll aim to force soft contact and work deep into the game.

The Rangers lineup continues to get timely hits, and Marcus Semien remains a steady presence at the top. If the bottom half of the order can chip in, Texas should give Leiter enough cushion to work with.

This matchup hinges on Seth Lugo’s command and Jack Leiter’s ability to stay poised in high-leverage situations. Kansas City’s lineup has been more consistent, but Texas has a knack for squeezing out close wins. It’ll be tight from start to finish. Take the Rangers to steal the win. Final Score Prediction, Texas Rangers win 3-2.