Overview
- The Kansas City Royals have won the first two post–All‑Star games and entered Sunday seeking a three‑game sweep of the San Diego Padres at Kauffman Stadium.
- Salvador Pérez hit a two‑run homer in Saturday's 6-1 win and moved within two of George Brett's franchise record for career homers.
- The Padres have struggled to score this season, ranking last in runs with 386 and losing 18 of their past 23 road games, which has helped sink their recent results.
- San Diego is relying on Germán Márquez, who recently returned from a two‑month injured list stint for nerve inflammation, to stabilize the rotation in a matchup with Royals starter Noah Cameron.
- Kansas City manager Matt Quatraro adjusted the lineup by using all three catchers and resting Bobby Witt Jr., a move that underlines the Royals' home momentum and San Diego's mounting pressure in the wild‑card race.