The Washington Nationals are prepared to battle against the Kansas City Royals at Nationals Park. Fox Sports Kansas City will be showing this interleague matchup and the game is scheduled to get going at 4:05 p.m. ET.
Kansas City Royals at Washington Nationals Odds
Kansas City (+305) is entering this game as the underdog to Washington (-380) and oddsmakers have the Over/Under for this one at 8.5 runs (-120 for the over and +100 for the under). The game’s current runline odds sit at +150 for picking the Royals +1.5 runs and -170 for the Nationals -1.5 runs.
The Nationals are 45-42 straight up (SU) and 45-41 against the spread (ATS). The team’s lost 8.1 units for bettors taking the moneyline while gaining 0.2 units ATS. The Royals, on the other hand, are 30-59 SU and have gone 41-47 ATS. Overall, the club has lost 20.1 units for moneyline bettors and 18.2 units ATS.
Nationals games have an over/under record of 42-38-6 so far in 2019. Kansas City has an over/under record of 42-39-7.
Right-hander Glenn Sparkman is getting the nod for Kansas City. Sparkman is 2-4 with a 5.09 ERA and 31 strikeouts. He has yet to face the Nationals this year and did not record a start against them in 2018, either.
The Nationals are turning to righty Max Scherzer (8-5, 2.43 ERA), who has 170 strikeouts and 22 walks, along with a 1.00 WHIP. Scherzer did not record a start against the Royals in 2018.
As a unit, Washington’s pitching staff has given up 4.7 runs per game overall this year. The team’s starting pitching staff has a 3.64 ERA, 1.19 WHIP and 9.9 strikeouts per nine innings. The bullpen has a 6.07 ERA, 1.54 WHIP and 9.2 K/9.
The Washington offense has produced 4.9 runs per contest, including 4.6 per game over its last 10 games and 3.4 per game over its last five. The team’s hit .250/.358/.442 over its last five contests and is 4-1 SU during that stretch.
Adam Eaton has helped lead the Nationals’ offense this season with six home runs, 21 RBIs and 48 runs scored.
In the other dugout, Kansas City’s pitchers have allowed 5.2 runs per game and its starters own a 5.23 ERA, 1.45 WHIP and 7.25 K/9. The bullpen has an ERA of 4.83, along with a WHIP of 1.45 and a K/9 of 8.57.
Royals hitters have slashed .246/.311/.402 on their way to 4.3 runs scored per game in 2019, including 4.5 runs per game over the team’s last 10 games and 4.0 per game over the team’s last five contests (1-4 SU).
Whit Merrifield has led Kansas City’s offense and is slashing .307/.355/.496 with 11 home runs, 44 RBIs, 62 runs and 12 steals.
The Royals just took the previous game in the series by a final score of seven runs to four.
Royals at Nationals Free Prediction
Predictions: SU Winner – Nationals, ATS Winner – Royals, O/U – OVER
Betting Notes
- Kansas City has logged 12 extra-base hits over its last five games. Washington has 18 XBH over its last five.
- The Royals have hit eight home runs in their last 10 games. The Nationals have hit 15 over their last 10.
- The Royals have a team OPS of .713 this season and an OPS of .724 against right-handed pitchers. The Nationals’ OPS stands at .765 overall and .731 against righties.
- Washington has posted 21.4 Runs + Hits + Errors per game over its last 10 contests and 20.6 over its last five.
