The Kansas City Royals are set to face the Washington Nationals in a series at Kauffman Stadium. The central question looms: Can the Royals’ offense take advantage of the Nationals’ struggling pitching staff? This series is crucial for the Royals as they aim to solidify their position and potentially make a run. The Nationals, on the other hand, are looking to find any spark in what has been a difficult season. This preview breaks down key matchups, player stats, and what to expect from this interleague showdown.
For the Royals, this series is an opportunity to feast on weaker pitching and boost their offensive numbers. Key players need to step up and deliver. The Nationals, while rebuilding, have a few bright spots and will look to disrupt the Royals’ plans. Let’s dive into the details and see what’s in store.
Nationals: A Season of Struggles
The Washington Nationals have been facing an uphill battle, marked by a significant payroll disparity and a reliance on aging or injured players. Their $111 million Opening Day payroll pales in comparison to other teams, with a substantial portion allocated to retired pitcher Stephen Strasburg. The team’s rebuild efforts have yet to yield substantial results, positioning them for another season with over 90 losses.
Offensively, the Nationals have struggled to generate consistent run production, ranking low in home runs and walks. While players like James Wood and CJ Abrams have shown promise, the team’s overall performance has been underwhelming. Injuries to key players such as Keibert Ruiz and Dylan Crews have further compounded their challenges. Veteran Josh Bell has been a standout performer recently, hitting .333/.456/.512 over his last 25 games, providing a spark in an otherwise lackluster lineup.
The Nationals’ pitching staff has been a major area of concern, contributing to their struggles. With a pitching staff that has been awful, and they’re on pace to give up a franchise record in runs allowed. Former first-round pick Cade Cavalli made his second career MLB start last week, striking out six in 4.1 scoreless innings. He made his MLB debut three years ago, but has had to recover from Tommy John surgery. He looked sharp in his return, throwing in the high-90s with a 50 percent whiff rate on his curve and 59 of his 88 pitches thrown for strikes.
Royals: An Offensive Opportunity
For the Kansas City Royals, this series presents a golden opportunity to capitalize on the Nationals’ pitching woes. With the Nationals ranking near the bottom in runs allowed per game, the Royals’ hitters need to step up and deliver. Consistent run production will be key to securing victories in this series.
While the Royals have struggled offensively at times, they have the potential to exploit the Nationals’ weaknesses. Players like Salvador Perez and Bobby Witt Jr. need to lead the charge, driving in runs and setting the tone for the offense. Taking advantage of favorable matchups against the Nationals’ struggling pitchers will be crucial for the Royals’ success.
Key stats to watch include the Royals’ performance against different pitch types and their ability to capitalize with runners in scoring position. If the Royals can consistently put pressure on the Nationals’ pitching staff, they have a good chance of coming out on top in this series.
Pitching Matchups to Watch
The pitching matchups in this series heavily favor the Royals, given the Nationals’ struggles on the mound. Mitchell Parker has allowed 32 runs in 31.1 innings over his last six starts. He has the lowest strikeout rate among qualified starters and the sixth-highest hard-hit rate. The road has not been kind to him – he has a 6.10 ERA away from DC. Opponents are hitting .300 off his curveball.
On the other hand, the Royals’ pitchers need to maintain their focus and avoid giving the Nationals easy opportunities. Consistent performance from the starting rotation will be essential in keeping the Nationals’ offense at bay. This series could be a chance for some of the Royals’ younger pitchers to gain valuable experience and confidence.
Jake Irvin has the sixth-highest home run-to-flyball rate, second-highest contact rate, and the second-lowest swinging strike rate. He has given up 26 home runs, the second-most in baseball. Lefties are hitting .273/.334/.519 against him this season with 16 of those home runs. He has allowed 35 runs in 41.1 innings ove rhis last eight starts.
Bullpen Battle
The Nationals have by far the worst bullpen ERA in baseball at 5.84 with the second-worst strikeout rate. They traded away closer Kyle Finnegan in July, leaving Jose A. Ferrer to handle closing duties. Ferrer throws strikes, with the fifth-lowest walk rate, and his 59 percent groundball rate is tenth among relievers. Cole Hnry has the fourth-highest soft-hit rate and the fifth-highest pop-up rate among relievers. Jackson Rutledge has the third-highest home run rate among relievers.
For the Royals, this is an area they can exploit. Putting pressure on the Nationals starters early and getting into their bullpen could lead to late-inning rallies. The Royals’ hitters need to be patient and take advantage of any mistakes made by the Nationals’ relievers.
Key Players to Watch
For the Royals, Salvador Perez and Bobby Witt Jr. are crucial for driving in runs and providing offensive firepower. Their performance will likely dictate the outcome of several games in this series. On the Nationals’ side, keep an eye on veteran Josh Bell, who has been on a hot streak recently, and young talents like CJ Abrams, who has shown flashes of brilliance.
Brady House swings the bat 58 percent of the time, eighth-highest in baseball for anyone with 150 plate appearances. Robert Hassell III was the eighth overall pick of the 2020 draft by the Padres and is 7-for-18 (.389) with four doubles and a home run since his recall from the minors on August 1.
Individual matchups will also be critical. For example, how will the Royals’ hitters fare against Nationals’ pitchers with high contact rates or low strikeout rates? These small advantages can add up and make a big difference in the final score.
Conclusion: Royals Primed for Success?
The series between the Kansas City Royals and the Washington Nationals presents a favorable opportunity for the Royals to capitalize on the Nationals’ pitching struggles. With key players needing to step up and deliver, the Royals have the potential to secure a series win and continue their push. The Nationals, while rebuilding, will look to disrupt the Royals’ plans and showcase their young talents.
Ultimately, the Royals’ ability to exploit the Nationals’ pitching weaknesses will be the determining factor in this series. If they can consistently generate run production and maintain solid pitching performances, they should emerge victorious. Baseball fans should tune in to see if the Royals can seize this opportunity and make a statement.
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