It’s Wednesday, July 9 and the Pirates (38-55) are in Kansas City to take on the Royals (45-48). Bailey Falter is slated to take the mound for Pittsburgh against Kris Bubic for Kansas City.

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Cruz, 26, will join Tampa Bay Rays third baseman Junior Caminero, Minnesota Twins outfielder Byron Buxton, Washington Nationals outfielder James Wood, Seattle Mariners catcher Cal Raleigh and Atlanta Braves outfielder Ronald Acuña Jr. as the latest participants in the annual slugging contest.

For Pittsburgh Pirates' central pitcher Paul Skenes, one of his teammates will be one of the standout hitters in the Home Run Derby. The event will take place on July 14 at Truist

His .402 slugging percentage ranks No. 47 in the National League, down from .449 in 2024 and his career mark of .438.The 26-year-old has averaged 27 home runs per 162 games in his career, which got off to a hot start in 2021 and 2022 before injuries knocked him out for most of 2023.

Rookie Jac Caglianone homered for the Royals, a 421-foot drive leading off the second inning that was his first extra-base hit in 14 games at Kauffman Stadium. He had been 5 for 46 at home before Tuesday.

Pregame analysis and predictions of the Pittsburgh Pirates vs. Kansas City Royals MLB game to be played on July 8, 2025 on ESPN.

Bobby Witt Jr. and Salvador Perez hit two of Kansas City's four home runs to back a strong start by rookie Noah Cameron, and the Royals beat the Pittsburgh Pirates 9-3 on Monday night. Cameron (3-4) struck out seven in a season-high seven innings.