Royals open critical homestand with series victory over Guardians

Jaylon Thompson, The Kansas City Star on Jul 27, 2025

Published in Baseball

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KANSAS CITY, Mo. — The Kansas City Royals entered their six-game homestand looking up at the Cleveland Guardians in the American League standings. Both teams hovered around .500 but remain right in the middle of the AL wild-card race.

The Royals are operating with a ticking clock. Kansas City must crawl past multiple teams — not just the Cleveland Guardians — with Thursday’s Major League Baseball trade deadline on the horizon.

Royals general manager J.J. Picollo insisted the club wouldn’t sell at the deadline, and on Saturday he reiterated that stance by acquiring veteran outfielder Randal Grichuk from the Arizona Diamondbacks.

It was a clear sign from the Kansas City front office that the time is now to make a playoff push. But the Royals needed to do their part on the field if a postseason surge is going to happen.

“If you are going to make the postseason, you are going to have to do it with all 26 (players),” Royals catcher Luke Maile said. “There’s no doubt about that.”

The Royals took care of business this weekend. Kansa City secured a pivotal series win over the Guardians behind rookie sensation Noah Cameron on Sunday, beating Cleveland 4-1.

As Sunday’s starting pitcher, Cameron shut down the Guardians on a steamy afternoon at Kauffman Stadium. The Royals provided him with enough run support, too. Third baseman Maikel Garcia hit his 10th home run and recorded two RBIs.

“It’s All-Star quality,” Royals manager Matt Quatraro said of Garcia’s afternoon. “He’s a good player and we know that. He’s got to be right in the middle of things if we are going to win a bunch of games.”

Winning this series, the Royals (52-54) remained 4 1/2 games behind the Boston Red Sox for the final spot in the AL wild-card chase. But more importantly, they vanquished an AL Central foe that will play a major role in their pursuit of a second consecutive postseason berth.

Here are three takeaways from Sunday’s game:

Cameron dominates Guardians

Cameron, the left-handed pitcher from St. Joseph, continues to build his résumé as a top AL Rookie of the Year candidate.

On Sunday, he shook off a prolonged first inning en route to victory.

The Guardians loaded the bases in the first. Cleveland outfielder Steven Kwan got aboard with a leadoff single to open the game, Cameron hit Angel Martinez with a pitch and then Guardians All-Star Jose Ramirez reached with a single.

Cameron was unfazed by the traffic on the basepaths. He retired the next three batters in succession and concluded the inning with a nifty grab on the mound.

“I think we were executing pitches,” Cameron said. “A little hit-by-pitch is never in the plan, but after that, you just continue executing and trying to get outs.”

Cameron was on cruise control after the first inning. He allowed three hits in five innings and struck out six batters. He now owns a 2.44 ERA in 14 starts this season.

Randal Grichuk debuts in Kansas City

Grichuk didn’t waste any time leaving a strong first impression.

He was inserted into the Royals’ lineup as the sixth hitter and started in right field Sunday. The Royals plan to play him regularly against left-handed pitchers.

“I’ve heard nothing but great things about the organization, probably more so than I have heard about any other organization,” Grichuk said. “So (I’m) definitely excited to be here and be a part of the Kansas City Royals.”

Grichuk, 33, collected his first hit in a Royals uniform in the second inning. He lined a single into left field off Guardians left-handed starter Joey Cantillo. That was Grichuk’s only hit, as he finished 1 for 4.

The Royals were interested in Grichuk this past offseason and eventually got him. He adds balance to their lineup and has solid power from the right side, with five seasons of 20 or more home runs in his career.

Hunter Harvey throws scoreless frame

The Royals sent right-handed reliever Hunter Harvey to the mound in the sixth inning. It was his first relief appearance in more than three months.

Harvey missed time with a right teres major strain. He was activated off the 60-day injured list on Friday night and is expected to operate in a high-leverage role.

“It’s great to get him back out there and it was a very efficient inning,” Quatraro said. “Velo was good. I think he was another one where the (splitter) got away from him a couple of times with the heat and the sweat. But it was a great first inning for him.”

In his short relief stint Sunday, Harvey threw seven of his 11 pitches for strikes. He touched 97 mph with his fastball and showcased a splitter, slider and curveball, as well.

Harvey had last pitched in the majors on April 7 against the Minnesota Twins.

What’s next: Here come the Braves

The Royals welcome the Atlanta Braves to Kauffman Stadium on Monday night. Kansas City left-hander Rich Hill (0-1, 1.80 ERA) will make his second MLB start of the season opposite right-handed Braves ace Spencer Strider (4-8, 3.72 ERA).

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