What we learned from Royals' first three (AL Central) games of the 2025 season

Jaylon Thompson, The Kansas City Star on Mar 30, 2025

Published in Baseball

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KANSAS CITY, Mo. — Baseball is back in Kansas City.

The Royals played host to the Cleveland Guardians for a three-game series at Kauffman Stadium on Thursday, Saturday and Sunday. Both teams made the playoffs last season, but it was the Guardians who took the American League Central crown.

And this season-opening series: The Royals fell 6-2 Sunday after winning Saturday and losing game one.

The Royals have work to do if they want to make good on their hopes of winning the AL Central this season. On opening day, the Guardians won 7-4 in extra innings behind designated hitter Kyle Manzardo (3 for 4 with a home run and four RBIs).

The Royals evened the series Saturday, with superstar shortstop Bobby Witt Jr. hitting a game-winning RBI double. The Royals won 4-3 — their first victory of the 2025 season.

Here are key takeaways from KC’s first series of the 2025 campaign:

Royals’ newest additions live up to hype

The Royals made a couple of significant splashes this offseason, acquiring infielder Jonathan India from the Cincinnati Reds and closer Carlos Estévez in free agency.

A lot was made of India’s leadoff ability, but his defense has generated the headlines so far. The Royals experimented with India in left field this spring and he fared well in limited action.

“He did everything,” Witt said of India. “He made all the plays out there and put together amazing at-bats. It was great to see him doing what he is doing. It was special.”

The true test came Saturday, when India made his first start in the outfield. He turned in a solid performance, showing fluid movement and tracking the baseball well. The Royals were also impressed with a sliding catch he made in the game.

At the plate, India reached base three times. He hit two singles and scored a run that contributed to the Royals’ victory. He even received a special ‘Salvy Splash’ afterward.

Estévez was solid in his new role. He closed out Saturday’s win and recorded his first save in a Royals uniform. He worked a clean ninth inning to protect a one-run lead.

He has yet to allow a hit through two appearances, striking out two and walking one. And he gives Royals manager Matt Quatraro a veteran high-leverage option, freeing up others for different duties — such as using young reliever Lucas Erceg in a fireman’s role.

This will give Erceg more chances to face the best hitters in the opposing team’s lineup, regardless of the inning.

Royals starters turn in uneven outings

The Royals are built to win with their starting rotation. The group includes four former All-Stars and an emerging homegrown talent.

There aren’t many teams that can match 2024 AL Cy Young Award finalists Cole Ragans and Seth Lugo in a given series. The Royals also have veterans Michael Wacha and Michael Lorenzen in the rotation, and a returning Kris Bubic, as well.

Ragans and Lugo were inefficient against the Guardians. Ragans pitched five innings and allowed three runs. He registered just three strikeouts and issued two walks.

Lugo struggled with his command before finding a rhythm late. He also gave up three runs and walked three batters in five innings.

Wacha, Sunday’s starter, labored through four innings and didn’t qualify for a decision.

It’s just one start each, but the Royals’ starting pitchers must remain a strength if the club has any plans of making a postseason run.

Salvador Perez shows off improved arm strength

There isn’t much that Royals captain Salvador Perez hasn’t seen during his illustrious career. He’s eager to return to the playoffs as he enters his 14th big-league season.

The Royals know what Perez brings to the table. But he added a new element to his expansive repertoire this offseason.

Perez re-tuned his arm strength with help from Royals bench coach Paul Hoover. And that strength was on full display Saturday as he threw out two baserunners to negate potential rallies.

“Salvy and Hoov, they communicate daily,” Quatraro said. “Salvy knows that last year he didn’t throw as well as he would’ve liked.”

It’s the 17th time Perez caught multiple baserunners in a game, but first since April 30, 2022 against the New York Yankees.

No active MLB catcher has more putouts on would-be steals than Salvy’s 204. There could be more in store, too, as the 2025 season continues.

Maikel Garcia flashes swing improvements

The Royals didn’t list Maikel Garcia in the starting lineup on opening day. The club opted to bring him off the bench.

Things were different Saturday. Garcia hit a game-tying solo homer that nailed the left-field foul pole. That granted fans in attendance free Chick-fil-A and showcased the vast improvement Garcia has made in his swing this spring.

Garcia focused on his timing at the plate this past offseason. He also added a small toe-tap and concentrated on remaining balanced through his swing motion.

All three elements of Garcia’s offseason swing-work were on display as he crushed an inside sweeper from Guardians reliever Paul Sewald.

“It feels great when you hit a homer to help the team win or to tie the game,” Garcia said.

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