Royals Recap

## Regular Season Context and All-Star Break

The Kansas City Royals did not play a regular season game on Tuesday, July 15, 2025, as Major League Baseball held its 95th All-Star Game on that date. The Royals concluded the first half of the season on Monday night, July 14, with a thrilling 3–2 walk-off victory over the New York Mets at Kauffman Stadium. Second baseman Nick Loftin delivered the decisive blow, a walk-off RBI single, marking his second walk-off hit in the last five games and lifting Kansas City to a 47–50 record as they entered the All-Star break ([abc17news.com](https://abc17news.com/sports/kansas-city-royals/2025/07/14/royals-salvage-series-with-walk-off-win-over-mets/?utm_source=chatgpt.com)).

## Royals All-Stars and Selections

Kansas City sent four representatives to the 2025 MLB All-Star Game in Atlanta—shortstop **Bobby Witt Jr.**, infielder **Maikel García**, left-hander **Kris Bubic**, and closer **Carlos Estévez**. This marked the first time since 2015–16 that the Royals had four All-Stars, demonstrating both their emerging talent and positional depth ([kctv5.com](https://www.kctv5.com/2025/07/16/royals-had-4-all-stars-heres-how-they-did-this-years-mlb-showcase-game/?utm_source=chatgpt.com)). Additionally, Witt and Bubic were officially announced as All-Star selections on July 6, with Witt earning his second straight nod after leading the majors in doubles and ranking among AL leaders in stolen bases and total bases, while Bubic was named his first All-Star following a dominant first half (2.36 ERA over 103 innings) ([kmbc.com](https://www.kmbc.com/article/royals-witt-bubic-2025-mlb-all-star/65308041?utm_source=chatgpt.com)).

## All-Star Game Performances

### Bobby Witt Jr.

- **Defensive Replacement:** Entered the game in the bottom of the fifth inning as a defensive substitute at shortstop.
- **RBI Groundout (7th inning):** In the top of the seventh, with Maikel García on third base (after a six-pitch walk and a stolen base), Witt Jr. lined a groundout back up the middle, scoring García and cutting the AL deficit to 6–4 ([kctv5.com](https://www.kctv5.com/2025/07/16/royals-had-4-all-stars-heres-how-they-did-this-years-mlb-showcase-game/?utm_source=chatgpt.com)).
- **RBI Double (9th inning):** With the AL trailing 6–5 and down to its final out, Witt Jr. belted a double down the right-field line, driving in the tying run and forcing the first-ever swing-off tiebreaker in All-Star history ([kctv5.com](https://www.kctv5.com/2025/07/16/royals-had-4-all-stars-heres-how-they-did-this-years-mlb-showcase-game/?utm_source=chatgpt.com)).

### Maikel García

- **First All-Star Appearance:** Drew a six-pitch walk from Giants reliever Randy Rodríguez in the top of the seventh inning.
- **Aggressive Baserunning:** Stole second base immediately after the walk, and advanced to third on a throwing error. Scored on Witt Jr.’s RBI groundout, registering the first AL run of the seventh inning ([kctv5.com](https://www.kctv5.com/2025/07/16/royals-had-4-all-stars-heres-how-they-did-this-years-mlb-showcase-game/?utm_source=chatgpt.com)).

### Kris Bubic

- **Sixth Inning Struggles:** Entered the bottom of the sixth and began with a leadoff walk to Fernando Tatis Jr., who later scored on a three-run home run by Pete Alonso. Bubic exited after recording just one out, surrendering two hits and three earned runs in 0.1 innings pitched ([kctv5.com](https://www.kctv5.com/2025/07/16/royals-had-4-all-stars-heres-how-they-did-this-years-mlb-showcase-game/?utm_source=chatgpt.com)).
- **First All-Star Game Appearance:** Despite the rough outing, Bubic’s selection underscored his first-half excellence—posting a 2.36 ERA, logging 11 quality starts, and allowing only six home runs over 103 innings ([kmbc.com](https://www.kmbc.com/article/royals-witt-bubic-2025-mlb-all-star/65308041?utm_source=chatgpt.com)).

### Carlos Estévez

- **Scoreless Seventh Inning:** Took the mound in the bottom of the seventh, working around a walk to Kyle Schwarber to strike out Miami Marlins outfielder Kyle Stowers, Fernando Tatis Jr., and Atlanta Braves first baseman Matt Olson in succession, preserving the AL’s comeback effort ([kctv5.com](https://www.kctv5.com/2025/07/16/royals-had-4-all-stars-heres-how-they-did-this-years-mlb-showcase-game/?utm_source=chatgpt.com)).
- **Season Context:** Estévez’s inclusion represented Kansas City’s bullpen strength; he entered the break with a sub-3.00 ERA and numerous high-leverage shut-down outings.

## Notable Moments and Historical Footnotes

- The tying run produced by Witt Jr.’s ninth-inning double forced the first swing-off in All-Star history, a three-round “home run derby” between the opposing teams’ sluggers. Ultimately, the National League prevailed, 4–3, with Philadelphia’s Kyle Schwarber earning MVP honors for his three homers in three swings during the event ([mlb.com](https://www.mlb.com/stories/game/778566), [sports.yahoo.com](https://sports.yahoo.com/mlb/live/mlb-all-star-game-2025-kyle-schwarber-powers-nl-to-win-with-3-homers-in-3-swings-in-events-first-swing-off-230051829.html?utm_source=chatgpt.com)).
- Witt Jr. became the first shortstop in MLB history to record two 30–30 seasons and the only one to be an All-Star representative in consecutive years. His defensive prowess continues to rank among the AL’s elite, with multiple Outs Above Average in 2025 ([en.wikipedia.org](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bobby_Witt_Jr.?utm_source=chatgpt.com)).

## Looking Ahead

The Royals resume regular season play on Friday, July 18, against the Miami Marlins at loanDepot park, kicking off a three-game weekend series at 6:10 p.m. CDT. Manager Matt Quatraro and his club will aim to build on the momentum of their pre-break walk-off win as they seek to climb back to .500 and make a second-half push in the AL Central. Nick Loftin’s late heroics and the continued emergence of stars like Witt Jr. and Bubic offer optimism for Kansas City’s prospects in the back half of the 2025 campaign ([abc17news.com](https://abc17news.com/sports/kansas-city-royals/2025/07/14/royals-salvage-series-with-walk-off-win-over-mets/?utm_source=chatgpt.com)).