The Kansas City Royals wrap up their road trip at PNC Park in Pittsburgh on Sunday, September 20, with first pitch set for 1:35 PM ET. Michael Wacha gets the ball for Kansas City against Pittsburgh's Lake Bachar in a regular-season afternoon matchup that gives the Royals a chance to bank another win away from Kauffman Stadium. Both clubs are in the final stretch of the 2026 regular season, and every game in September carries real weight in the standings.

Pitching Matchup: Michael Wacha vs. Lake Bachar

Wacha is the veteran presence Kansas City leans on when they need a steady, experienced arm. The right-hander has been around long enough to know how to manage a lineup, work a count, and protect a lead. He will need to do exactly that against a Pirates lineup that has real pop in the middle of the order.

Bachar draws the start for Pittsburgh. He is a name Royals fans may not have circled on the calendar, but that is exactly the kind of pitcher who can make a team pay for a lack of preparation. Kansas City cannot afford to sleepwalk through the early innings assuming this is an easy out on the mound.

Pittsburgh Pirates Lineup to Watch

The Pirates are presenting a lineup that demands respect. Oneil Cruz slots into the cleanup spot in center field, and his raw power makes him a threat to change a game with one swing. Bryan Reynolds hits third in left field and provides a professional at-bat every time up. Leadoff man Konnor Griffin at shortstop and Brandon Lowe hitting second give Pittsburgh a capable top of the order capable of setting the table.

Former Royal Ryan O'Hearn hits sixth as Pittsburgh's designated hitter. He knows the Royals well, and that familiarity cuts both ways — Wacha knows him, too.

Kansas City Royals Lineup

Bobby Witt Jr. hits second behind Maikel Garcia, and that one-two combination at the top gives Kansas City's offense a legitimate foundation. Jac Caglianone slots in third as the designated hitter, and Salvador Perez anchors the cleanup spot at first base. Perez remains one of the most dangerous run-producers in this lineup and a veteran presence who elevates every at-bat around him.

Michael Massey hits fifth at second base, with Nick Loftin, John Rave, Luke Maile, and Tyler Tolbert rounding out the bottom of the order. Tolbert in center and Maile behind the plate give Wacha a solid defensive unit behind him.

Keys to Watch

• Wacha's ability to navigate the Cruz and Reynolds portion of Pittsburgh's order will go a long way toward determining the outcome.
• Witt Jr. and Caglianone need to be factors early to put pressure on Bachar before the Pittsburgh bullpen factors in.
• Tolbert's defense in center and his ability to get on base from the nine-hole gives Kansas City a second table-setter if he can produce.
• Perez driving in runs from the cleanup spot is a consistent variable — if he is locked in, the Royals offense tends to follow.

Prediction

This is a winnable afternoon game for Kansas City. Wacha is a veteran who handles road environments and should keep the Royals in it through the middle innings. If the top of the order produces and Perez comes through with runners on base, the Royals take this one. Royals 5, Pirates 3.

Catch the game on Royals.TV or listen on KFNZ 610AM and the Royals Radio Network.