The Milwaukee Brewers host the Kansas City Royals on Monday, March 31, 2025. First pitch for this interleague series opener from American Family Field is scheduled for 2:10 p.m. ET; the game will be broadcast on FanDuel Sports Kansas City/Wisconsin.
The Royals had a rough first series of the year, dropping two of three games to their AL Central rival, the Cleveland Guardians. Meanwhile, nobody had a worse week than the Milwaukee Brewers, who got slammed by last year's American League Champion, the New York Yankees. The Brewers didn't hold a lead for any of the 27 innings played, so they'll search for their first lead and win here.
Find my MLB betting preview and Royals vs Brewers predictions and picks for Monday below.
Royals vs Brewers Predictions
- Royals vs Brewers picks: Over 8.5 (-102; play to -115)
My Royals vs Brewers best bet is Over 8.5. Make sure to find the best odds by checking our live MLB odds page.
Royals vs Brewers Odds, Spread, Prediction
| Royals Odds | ||
|---|---|---|
| Spread | Total | Moneyline |
-1.5 +160 | 8.5 -108o / -112u | -105 |
| Brewers Odds | ||
|---|---|---|
| Spread | Total | Moneyline |
+1.5 -192 | 8.5 -108o / -112u | -115 |
- Royals vs Brewers Moneyline: Royals -105, Brewers -115
- Royals vs Brewers Total: 8.5 (-108o / -112u)
- Royals vs Brewers Run Line: Royals -1.5 (+160), Brewers +1.5 (-192)
- Royals vs Brewers Best Bet: OVER 8.5
Royals vs Brewers Preview, Prediction
Royals Betting Preview: Struggles No More?
Kansas City will get a look at southpaw Bubic, who last started an MLB game in 2023. The 27-year-old appeared in 27 games all out of the bullpen a season ago and posted a 2.67 ERA in 30 ⅓ innings. He struck out 39 batters last year and showed the same ability in Spring Training, punching out 25 batters in 21 ⅓ innings. However, he allowed 24 hits, so he was allowing more contact.
Kansas City could use a nice start to its first road trip of the year after dropping two of three games to Cleveland. Of course, it all starts with AL MVP candidate Bobby Witt Jr., who has a .594 OPS in 13 ABs with just one extra-base hit and one stolen base. Witt had 31 homers and 31 steals last year, so I'd expect some bigger numbers in those categories.
After three games, Kansas City has a pretty brutal 76 wRC+, but I think that'll change. The Royals have strong top-four options in their batting order with Witt, Jonathan India, Vinnie Pasquantino, and Salvador Perez. The only one of those four hittings so far is Pasquantino, who cracked a homer on Opening Day.
Regarding India, he took a 99 mph fastball to the head from Emmanuel Clase yesterday. His status remains unknown, however, it's believed that he avoided a concussion. I would monitor his status leading up to the game though.
I'm willing to attribute the Royals' early season struggles to the Guardians pitching. Cleveland has the sport's top bullpen and a decent rotation that is much better then the Brewers starter, Rodriguez.
Milwaukee Brewers Betting Preview: Blown Out in the Bronx
Rodriguez is a real lottery ticket for a low-budget Brewers squad. He's 26 years old and last pitched an MLB game in 2023 for the Rays, but he has a 10.62 ERA in five MLB starts in 2022 for the Tigers. Last year, Rodriguez posted a sub 2.00 ERA with the Yakult Swallows of the KBO.
However, all of his appearances were out of the bullpen, and the Brewers planned to use him as an actual starter. I don't know if that's a good plan since Rodriguez posted a 7.59 ERA in 15 ⅓ spring innings.
There's no sugarcoating what happened in the Bronx. The Yankees dominated the Brewers for three entire games, leading to a -22 run differential for Milwaukee. For more context, first baseman Jake Bauers has two pitching appearances, and closer Trevor Megill came into one game.
Speaking of the bullpen, that's another worry for Milwaukee. Rodriguez will have to pitch a solid four or five innings to make up for the short starts from Nestor Cortes and Aaron Civale. It's too early in the year to ta the bullpen, so Rodriguez might allow five runs, but if he does so in five innings, that's a win.
I also expect the Brewers bats to catch fire eventually. It's probably a good sign that the bottom-of-the-order hitters, like Brice Turang, Sal Frelick, and Vinny Capra, are hitting well. If they hit well when Christian Yelich, William Contreras, and Jackson Chourio start hitting, that's a brilliant sign.
Yelich has a 60 wRC+, Contreras has a -20 and Chourio has a 20. It can't get any worse for those three and heading home should help.
Royals vs Brewers Over/Under Prediction, Analysis
You can get -102 odds on over 8.5 runs. I don't trust either pitcher here, especially to provide any real length since both were relievers last year and pitched terribly in spring.
Plus, I expect these two offenses to be in the top 10-12 range this year. They haven't looked the part yet, but the talent is there to put together some strong offensive nights. Facing pitchers like Bubic and Rodriguez won't hurt.
Pick: Over 8.5 -102 (play to -115)
Moneyline
I have no play on either side of the moneyline.
Run Line (Spread)
Like the moneyline, I have no pick for the run line.
Over/Under
As I mentioned above, I like over 8.5 for this game.
