The Kansas City Royals were set to face the Cleveland Guardians on Sept. 25, with Michael Wacha opposing Tanner Bibee. Wacha needed 5⅔ innings for his first 200-inning season, while the Royals' bullpen had a 6.10 ERA since the Pirates series.
The preview said Kansas City's bullpen ERA was 4.03 before the Pirates series and 6.10 afterward, second-worst in baseball, ahead of only the Angels. In the teams' Aug. 28 meeting, Bibee allowed one run in six innings; Wacha threw eight scoreless innings, allowing four hits and no walks while striking out 10.
Nick Loftin was placed on the paternity list, ending his season. With Maikel Garcia and Kyle Isbel getting the day off, Josh Rojas returned to the lineup, John Rave moved to center field and Isaac Collins played left field.
