Cincinnati Reds vs Kansas City Royals: Live Score, Highlights & Streaming Guide for Tonight’s MLB Showdown

The Cincinnati Reds travel to Kauffman Stadium tonight, May 26 2025, to open a three-game interleague set against the Kansas City Royals. First pitch is scheduled for 4:10 p.m. ET (3:10 p.m. local) with right-hander Nick Martinez (2-5, 3.43 ERA) squaring off against former Red Michael Lorenzen (3-5, 3.77 ERA) in a match-up that could shape both clubs’ momentum heading into June. Why it matters • The Reds (26-28) sit 6.5 games back in the NL Central and need a series win to stay within striking distance of the first-place Cubs. • The Royals (29-25) are only 5.5 games out in a crowded AL Central race and boast a 17-9 record at home, their best start in Kansas City since 2015. Key storylines 1. Return of Lorenzen – The 32-year-old spent seven seasons in Cincinnati and now tries to silence an offense that slugged 14 runs in its last two contests. 2. Elly De La Cruz vs. KC speed – De La Cruz leads the Reds in homers (9) and steals (21). Kansas City counters with Maikel García and Bobby Witt Jr., ranking top-5 in MLB sprint speed. Expect baserunning fireworks. 3. Bullpen fatigue – Cincinnati relievers covered 10⅔ innings over the weekend; manager David Bell will look for length from Martinez after using closer Alexis Díaz three straight games. Injury updates • Reds: Jake Fraley (toe), Christian Encarnacion-Strand (wrist) and Jeimer Candelario (hamstring) remain on the 10-day IL but could rejoin the club later this road trip. • Royals: Staff ace Seth Lugo (forearm) is out until at least Friday, while Cole Ragans (shoulder) targets early June. Their absences elevate pressure on Lorenzen for innings. How to watch & stream • TV: Bally Sports Kansas City, Bally Sports Ohio • Streaming: MLB.TV (out-of-market); cable-auth apps for local markets • Radio: 700 WLW (CIN), 610 Sports Radio (KC) Betting odds (ESPN BET, 10 a.m. ET) • Moneyline: CIN EVEN / KC -120 • Run line: CIN ‑1.5 (+170), KC +1.5 (-215) • Over/Under: 7.5 runs (-110 both sides) Stat snapshot • Team averages: CIN .245 AVG, .321 OBP; KC .246 AVG, .301 OBP. • Reds rank 3rd in MLB with 62 stolen bases; Royals are 6th with 49. • Kansas City’s bullpen owns a 3.08 ERA since May 1, fifth best in baseball. Prediction Expect a low-scoring opener as both starters generate ground-balls and Kauffman’s expansive outfield suppresses power. The edge tilts slightly to Kansas City’s rested bullpen and home-field advantage, but Cincinnati’s speed can disrupt if it reaches base early. Royals 4, Reds 3. Series schedule • Game 2: Tuesday, May 27 – Hunter Greene vs. Alec Marsh (probable) • Game 3: Wednesday, May 28 – Andrew Abbott vs. Brady Singer (probable) Search-friendly keywords: Reds vs Royals live stream, Reds vs Royals prediction, Cincinnati Reds at Kansas City Royals time, Reds vs Royals starting pitchers, Nick Martinez vs Michael Lorenzen, MLB games today, May 26 2025 MLB schedule.