Brewers vs. Royals Prediction, Odds, Picks - March 31, 2025
The Milwaukee Brewers are set to host the Kansas City Royals on Monday, March 31, 2025, at American Family Field in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. The first pitch is scheduled for 2:10 p.m. ET. Both teams are eager to secure a victory, with the Brewers aiming for their first win of the season and the Royals looking to build momentum after a mixed start.
Pitching Matchup:
Milwaukee Brewers: Elvin Rodriguez is set to start for the Brewers. Rodriguez, who turns 27 on the day of the game, last pitched in the majors in 2023, appearing in one game for the Tampa Bay Rays. He spent the 2024 season overseas with the Yakult Swallows in Japan, where he made 32 appearances, posting a 1-1 record with a 1.80 ERA and 44 strikeouts over 45 innings. During Spring Training in 2025, Rodriguez struggled, allowing 10 runs (nine earned) on 17 hits and two walks, with 15 strikeouts across 10 2/3 innings, resulting in a 7.59 ERA.
Kansas City Royals: Kris Bubic will take the mound for the Royals. After recovering from injury, Bubic pitched exclusively out of the bullpen in 2024, making 27 appearances and recording a 2.67 ERA with 39 strikeouts over 30 1/3 innings. In Spring Training 2025, he transitioned back to a starting role, making six starts (seven appearances) and posting a 5.40 ERA over 21 2/3 innings, with 25 strikeouts. Historically, Bubic has performed well against the Brewers, allowing just one unearned run with 11 strikeouts across 11 1/3 innings in two career starts.
Team Performances:
Milwaukee Brewers: The Brewers are seeking their first win of the season after being swept by the New York Yankees in their opening series. The team struggled significantly on the mound, surrendering 36 runs over three games (4-2, 20-9, 12-3). Offensively, Jake Bauers has been a bright spot, batting .400 with one home run and three RBIs.
Kansas City Royals: The Royals hold a 1-2 record after their opening series against the Cleveland Guardians. They secured a 4-3 victory in the second game but lost the first and third games 7-4 and 6-2, respectively. Vinnie Pasquantino has been productive, hitting .333 with one home run and three RBIs, while Maikel Garcia boasts a .400 batting average with a home run.
Betting Odds:
Moneyline: Brewers -115, Royals -105
Run Line: Royals -1.5
Over/Under: 8.5 runs (Over -104, Under -116)
Prediction:
Analysts project a high-scoring game, with a predicted score of Royals 8, Brewers 4. The implied win probabilities are 53.5% for the Brewers and 46.5% for the Royals.
Betting Insights:
Milwaukee Brewers: Last season, the Brewers won 55 of the 94 games in which they were favored on the moneyline, a win rate of 58.5%. When favored with odds of -115 or shorter, they held a 51-34 record, translating to a 60% win rate.
Kansas City Royals: The Royals were underdogs in 87 games last season, winning 38 of those contests, which equates to a 43.7% win rate.
Player Highlights:
Milwaukee Brewers:
William Contreras: Last season, Contreras drove in 92 runs while batting .281.
Jackson Chourio: Chourio posted a .275 batting average with an OBP of .327 and a slugging percentage of .464.
Kansas City Royals:
Bobby Witt Jr.: Witt Jr. had an impressive season, batting .332 with 32 home runs and 109 RBIs.
Vinnie Pasquantino: Pasquantino contributed with a .262 batting average, 19 home runs, and 40 walks.
Recommendation:
Considering the Brewers' recent pitching struggles and the Royals' offensive capabilities, betting on the Royals to win at -105 odds presents value. Additionally, wagering on the over 8.5 runs aligns with the anticipated high-scoring nature of the game.
Conclusion:
The upcoming matchup between the Milwaukee Brewers and Kansas City Royals offers an intriguing contest, with both teams eager to secure a win. The game is expected to be high-scoring, providing opportunities for bettors to capitalize on the over and consider backing the Royals given the current dynamics. As always, staying informed with the latest team news and lineup changes is essential for making well-informed wagers.
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