The Kansas City Royals (67-86) and the Pittsburgh Pirates (76-77) open a 3-game interleague series Friday at PNC Park in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. First pitch is scheduled for 6:40 p.m. ET (ESPN). Let's analyze MLB odds around the Royals vs. Pirates odds and make our expert MLB picks and predictions for the best bets.
2025 season series: Royals won 3-0; Kansas City won 2-1 in 2024 meeting in Pittsburgh
The Royals (+129) lost 6-2 in the series finale at the Houston Astros Thursday as the Under (9) hung on. Kansas City has cashed the Under in 11 consecutive games since Sept. 5, and the offense is averaging just 2.2 runs per game (RPG) in the past 5 outings.
Kansas City is already eliminated from the postseason race, and it is just 28-50 on the road.
The Royals enter the series 19-26 in interleague play.
The Pirates (+118) posted a 7-4 win Thursday against the Milwaukee Brewers, salvaging the series finale. Pittsburgh is just 2-4 in the past 6 games, while the Under has a slight 4-3-1 edge in the past 8 games.
Pittsburgh sits 8 games out of the final Wild Card spot in the NL with just 9 games to play, so it is all but eliminated from the postseason. The Pirates are 39-36 at home, while going an impressive 28-14 in interleague games in 2026.
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Royals at Pirates projected starters
RHP Randy Dobnak vs. RHP Paul Skenes
Dobnak (3-4, 2.73 ERA) makes his 12th start (14th appearance). He has a 1.27 WHIP, 3.0 BB/9, 6.1 K/9 in 69 1/3 innings.
- Last start: Loss, 5 2/3 IP, 3 ER, 4 H, 0 BB, 4 K in 5-1 loss at Boston Red Sox Saturday
- 2026 road splits (5 starts, 6 appearances): 1-2, 1.54 ERA (35 IP, 6 ER), 0.94 WHIP, 1 HR, 8 BB, 24 K
- Career vs. Pirates (1 start with Twins): Win, 6 IP, 0 ER, 3 H, 0 BB, 1 K in 5-2 road win Aug. 5, 2020
Skenes (10-11, 3.78 ERA) makes his 31st start. He has a 1.13 WHIP, 2.6 BB/9, 10.3 K/9 in 162 innings.
- Last start: No-decision, 7 IP, 2 ER, 4 H (2 solo HR), 1 BB, 4 K in 4-3 win at Chicago Cubs Saturday
- Last 7 starts: 1-2, 3.38 ERA (37 1/3 IP, 14 ER), 1.18 WHIP, 14 BB, 29 K
- 2026 home splits (16 starts): 6-5, 3.70 ERA (87 2/3 IP, 36 ER), 1.12 WHIP, 8 HR, 24 BB, 110 K
- Has never faced Royals
Royals at Pirates odds
Provided by BetMGM Sportsbook; access USA TODAY Sports Scores and Sports Betting Odds hub for a full list. Lines last updated at 6:17 a.m. ET.
- Moneyline (ML): Royals +155 (bet $100 to win $155) | Pirates -190 (bet $190 to win $100)
- Run line (RL)/Against the spread (ATS): Royals +1.5 (-135) | Pirates -1.5 (+110)
- Over/Under (O/U): 8 (O: -105 | U: -115)
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Royals at Pirates picks and predictions
Prediction
Royals 3, Pirates 2
Moneyline
The ROYALS (+155) are worth playing in this interleague series opener as moderate underdogs.
Dobnak has been pitching well lately, while Skenes just hasn't been hitting on all cylinders this season. The Pirates are still alive for the postseason, but the task to make it and leapfrog several teams is next to impossible.
Run line/Against the spread
If you can't take them straight up, ROYALS +1.5 (-135) isn't priced out of line if you need a little bit of insurance. While Skenes hasn't been great this season, he is still an All-Star capable of taking over a game. And, the Royals offense has really struggled, so proceed with caution.
Over/Under
UNDER 8 (-115) might be the best play on the board.
Dobnak has pitched well lately, and Skenes has managed a 3.70 ERA and 1.12 WHIP at home this seaosn in 16 outings. The runs will be hard to come by in this interleague series opener.
Betting odds calculator
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This article originally appeared on Sportsbook Wire: Kansas City Royals at Pittsburgh Pirates odds, picks and predictions
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