Kansas City Royals vs. Washington Nationals: Preview, Predictions and Picks for September 24, 2024

Published on:
Sep 24, 2024 6:13 AM
The Kansas City Royals, carrying a 7-game losing streak, travel to Nationals Park to face the Washington Nationals on Tuesday, September 24th at 6:45 PM. The Royals, 82-74 overall and 37-38 on the road, look to turn their fortunes around against the Nationals, who hold a 69-87 record and 36-39 mark at home. This MLB matchup promises to be an exciting clash between two teams fighting for momentum.
Written by
Optimal Staff
Kansas City Royals
Washington Nationals

Royals vs Nationals starting pitchers

  • Mitchell Parker for Washington Nationals
  • Cole Ragans for Kansas City Royals

Royals vs Nationals statistics

Stat Royals Nationals
Hits 1309 (Tied-10th) 1256 (Tied-19th)
Batting Average .250 (7th) .243 (15th)
Runs Batted In 697 (10th) 600 (Tied-25th)
Runs 719 (12th) 638 (24th)
Home Runs 167 (20th) 130 (29th)
Walks 410 (28th) 439 (25th)
Stolen Bases 129 (Tied-10th) 215 (1st)
Strikeouts 1103 (29th) 1166 (26th)
Pitches 21932 (26th) 21883 (27th)

Washington Nationals recent games

Game Date Opponent Result Score
9/22/24 @ Chicago Cubs L 5-0
9/21/24 @ Chicago Cubs W 5-1
9/20/24 @ Chicago Cubs L 3-1
9/19/24 @ Chicago Cubs L 7-6
9/18/24 @ New York Mets L 10-0

Kansas City Royals recent games

Game Date Opponent Result Score
9/22/24 vs San Francisco Giants L 2-0
9/21/24 vs San Francisco Giants L 9-0
9/20/24 vs San Francisco Giants L 2-1
9/18/24 vs Detroit Tigers L 4-2
9/17/24 vs Detroit Tigers L 3-1 F/10

Royals vs Nationals predictions

When the Royals take the field, keep an eye on Bobby Witt Jr. His thrilling batting average of .334 and a knack for driving in runs (108 RBIs so far) make him a player to watch. Similarly, Salvador Perez, known for stepping up in crucial moments, could be a game changer. His ability to hit powerful homers (22 this season) might just be what Kansas City needs to snap their losing streak. Given Cole Ragans's impressive ERA of 3.24 and over 200 strikeouts this season, expect him to put up a solid performance on the mound, potentially dominating the Nationals' hitters.

For the Washington Nationals, keep tabs on CJ Abrams whose 20 home runs lead the team. His ability at the plate could ignite the Nationals' lineup. Meanwhile, Luis Garcia Jr., hitting at .281 and leading the team in RBIs with 65, will be crucial if the Nationals are to exploit any of Ragans's rare missteps. Mitchell Parker, although having a tougher season with an ERA of 4.44, will need to harness his control and minimize walks to keep the game tight. His success on the mound will be pivotal in setting the tone for the Nationals.

Considering both teams' recent forms and player performances, the Royals might just have the edge in this matchup. Their combination of a strong bullpen and consistently high-performing batters like Witt Jr. and Perez provides a slight advantage over the Nationals, whose inconsistencies at the plate might limit their ability to capitalize on scoring opportunities. While the Nationals have the potential to keep it close, especially with their speed on the bases, the Royals are likely poised to end their losing streak if their starters deliver as expected.

Washington Nationals injuries

  • Alex Call (RF): 10-Day-IL
  • Joan Adon (RP): 60-Day-IL
  • Cade Cavalli (SP): 60-Day-IL
  • Josiah Gray (SP): 60-Day-IL

Kansas City Royals injuries

  • Hunter Harvey (RP): 15-Day-IL
  • Will Smith (RP): 15-Day-IL
  • Michael Lorenzen (SP): 15-Day-IL
  • Josh Taylor (RP): 60-Day-IL
  • Chris Stratton (RP): 15-Day-IL

Royals vs Nationals game info

Venue Nationals Park
Location Washington, District of Columbia
First pitch Tue 6:45 PM
Temperature 69°
Chance of Rain 51%

Kansas City Royals vs. Washington Nationals Betting Odds

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