The rotation features two All-Stars!
Manager Matt Quatraro has set his rotation to begin the season beginning with Opening Day starter Cole Ragans. After Ragans goes on Thursday against Cleveland, Seth Lugo will follow up on Saturday, and Michael Wacha on Sunday. Kris Bubic will start the road opener on Monday in Milwaukee with Michael Lorenzen starting on Tuesday against the Brewers.
#Royals have set their rotation schedule, manager Matt Quatraro says.
Thursday: Ragans
Saturday: Lugo
Sunday: Wacha
3/31 in Milwaukee: Bubic
4/1: LorenzenWacha and Bubic are starting these two games in Arlington. Lorenzen stayed back in AZ to pitch Wednesday.
— Anne Rogers (@anne__rogers) March 24, 2025
Cleveland will counter with Tanner Bibee on Opening Day. Gavin Williams will face Lugo on Saturday, and newly-acquired Luis Ortiz will battle Wacha on Sunday.
The Royals have 23 games in 25 days to begin the season, so they’ll need all five starters from the get-go. Last year Royals starters had the second-best ERA in baseball and the second-most innings pitched. They can boast a rotation that features two All-Stars from last year in Lugo and Ragans, both of whom received Cy Young Award votes at the end of the season.
At the outset of camp, the Royals considered Alec Marsh and Kyle Wright for the rotation, but both will begin the season on the Injured List. Daniel Lynch IV was another candidate but will head to the bullpen despite an impressive spring. The Royals also have Noah Cameron as a starting candidate later this year, but he will begin the season in Omaha.