Royals flex muscle in 8-4 rout of Cubs

Pete Grathoff, The Kansas City Star on Jul 23, 2025

Published in Baseball

By clicking submit, I authorize Arcamax and its affiliates to: (1) use, sell, and share my information for marketing purposes, including cross-context behavioral advertising, as described in our Privacy Policy , (2) add to information that I provide with other information like interests inferred from web page views, or data lawfully obtained from data brokers, such as past purchase or location data, or publicly available data, (3) contact me or enable others to contact me by email or other means with offers for different types of goods and services, and (4) retain my information while I am engaging with marketing messages that I receive and for a reasonable amount of time thereafter. I understand I can opt out at any time through an email that I receive, or by clicking here

CHICAGO — The Royals made themselves right at home at the Friendly Confines.

That’s the nickname for Wrigley Field, a place where the Royals’ batters obviously felt comfortable on Wednesday. They hit four two-run home runs in an 8-4 win over the Cubs. They also hit four on Monday night, so that’s eight homers in three games for the Royals.

Here are three takeaways from the series.

Big series win

The Cubs entered the series atop the National League Central but were knocked from that perch by the Royals, pending the outcome of the Brewers’ game Wednesday at Seattle.

The Royals (50-53) went 3-3 on their road trip and have won three of their last four as they hope to get back into the American League playoff picture.

Taking a series in Chicago was a step in that direction, as was avoiding a losing road trip.

Pasquatch power

Catcher Salvador Perez had an excellent day, but it didn’t match the one enjoyed by teammate Vinnie Pasquantino, who hit a pair of two-run homers and doubled.

Since July 1, Pasquantino is batting .284 with a 926 OPS. He has 11 extra-base hits, five home runs and 14 RBIs in July, per Ian Kraft, the Royals’ assistant director of media relations.

Pasquantino and Perez getting hot at the same time should boost the Royals’ offense, which has struggled this season.

Lugo’s future

Royals starting pitcher Seth Lugo was terrific again Wednesday. He allowed two runs on four hits with six strikeouts.

At one point, Lugo struck out five straight Cubs batters in the fifth and sixth innings.

Lugo, who has a 2.95 ERA, was the subject on the Cubs’ pre-game show as a potential trade target. He has a player option for the 2026 season. If he declines it, he will be a free agent.

The Major League Baseball trade deadline is July 31 and the Royals face a decision: Keep Lugo and make a playoff push or risk losing him after the season if he declines his option.

Lugo’s outing Wednesday only makes him a more appealing trade target.

Witt sits

Shortstop Bobby Witt Jr. wasn’t in the starting lineup Wednesday, one day after his knee buckled during an at-bat.

Witt said he could have played and manager Matt Quatraro chalked it up to soreness.

“He’s had body soreness that he plays through every day, pretty much through the whole year,” Quatraro said. “In Miami, he hit a double to right center, he was going to slide head first, switched to go feet first, aggravated it a little bit, got a little sore the first night here, and then last night.

“And with the day off tomorrow, it’s a good time to try to get him two days if we can.”

Up next

The Royals are off Thursday, then open a three-game series against the Cleveland Guardians at Kauffman Stadium on Friday at 7:10 p.m. Michael Wacha will start for the Royals and the game will be broadcast on Apple TV+.