Cubs aim to break 3-game losing streak, play the Royals

Updated Jul. 27, 2024 4:01 a.m. ET

Associated Press

Chicago Cubs (49-56, fifth in the NL Central) vs. Kansas City Royals (57-47, third in the AL Central)

Kansas City, Missouri; Saturday, 7:10 p.m. EDT

PITCHING PROBABLES: Cubs: Shota Imanaga (8-2, 2.86 ERA, 1.07 WHIP, 108 strikeouts); Royals: Seth Lugo (12-4, 2.38 ERA, 1.04 WHIP, 122 strikeouts)

BETMGM SPORTSBOOK: LINE Royals -152, Cubs +129; over/under is 9 runs

BOTTOM LINE: The Chicago Cubs look to break a three-game losing streak with a victory over the Kansas City Royals.

Kansas City has gone 36-20 at home and 57-47 overall. The Royals have gone 20-9 in games when they hit two or more home runs.

Chicago has a 22-31 record in road games and a 49-56 record overall. Cubs hitters have a collective .310 on-base percentage, the eighth-ranked percentage in the NL.

The teams meet Saturday for the second time this season.

TOP PERFORMERS: Vinnie Pasquantino has 23 doubles, two triples, 11 home runs and 67 RBI while hitting .261 for the Royals. Bobby Witt Jr. is 20-for-39 with three doubles, a triple and three home runs over the past 10 games.

Christopher Morel leads Chicago with 18 home runs while slugging .375. Seiya Suzuki is 11-for-37 with two home runs and five RBI over the past 10 games.

LAST 10 GAMES: Royals: 6-4, .286 batting average, 3.07 ERA, outscored opponents by 19 runs

Cubs: 3-7, .215 batting average, 3.27 ERA, outscored by 15 runs

INJURIES: Royals: MJ Melendez: 10-Day IL (ankle), Dan Altavilla: 60-Day IL (oblique), Josh Taylor: 60-Day IL (biceps), Kyle Wright: 60-Day IL (shoulder)

Cubs: Tomas Nido: 10-Day IL (knee), Ben Brown: 60-Day IL (neck), Luke Little: 60-Day IL (shoulder), Hayden Wesneski: 15-Day IL (forearm), Jordan Wicks: 60-Day IL (oblique), Cody Bellinger: 10-Day IL (finger), Colten Brewer: 60-Day IL (hand), Keegan Thompson: 15-Day IL (rib), Yency Almonte: 60-Day IL (shoulder), Adbert Alzolay: 60-Day IL (forearm), Caleb Kilian: 60-Day IL (shoulder)

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The Associated Press created this story using technology provided by Data Skrive and data from Sportradar.