Rangers at Royals on Monday night pivots on a brisk pitching duel: Jack Leiter (7-6, 3.94 ERA) for Texas against Michael Wacha (7-9, 3.35 ERA) in Kansas City. Texas arrives off a 10-4 win vs Toronto after two straight sweeps, while KC has surged with a 3-game streak and a 5-1 run in their last six. The betting line shows KC favored on the moneyline at -130 with Texas at +109, and a 9.0 over/under looms as both offenses look to maximize the park’s hitter-friendly rhythm. NBC Sports’ model projects a close, mid-range sprint with a slight lean toward KC’s bullpen depth and game flow leaning over 9 in recent trends.

Fantasy and betting angles center on Leiter’s upside versus Wacha’s steady track record and KC’s surge. The Royals have carved out wins by stringing timely hits and leveraging the bullpen, while Texas will lean on Leiter’s strike-acceleration and Wacha’s ground-ball efficiency to keep runs scarce. The matchup also anchors in recent form: KC 5-1 over six games; Rangers 1-4 over five, with KC taking four of five previously against Texas this season. A smart playbook blends Leiter’s strikeout potential with Wacha’s control and the park’s scoring tempo.