The Washington Nationals have the Kansas City Royals in Nats Park at a time that the Royals are fighting for a playoff spot. This also is the final time for players like today’s starter, Mitchell Parker, to show that he deserves a roster spot for 2025.
In roster news today, Stone Garrett is back with the team as Andres Chaparro has been placed on Paternity Leave. Garrett broke his leg and injured his ankle severely last August, and finally has made it back with the Nationals. Garrett’s season this year in Triple-A has shown some promise, but his future with the Nationals could be in jeopardy if the Nats need his 40-man roster spot this offseason.
The Nats need to go 3-3 or better to surpass their 2023 win total. How great would that be to finish in the mid-70’s for a win total?
The Nats are big underdogs today at +150 to win on the moneyline. That means if you bet $100 you would win $150. Bet $10.00 and you win $15.00.
Nats’ manager Dave Martinez has only used Kyle Finnegan once in the past 9-days. Hopefully there will be a need to use Finnegan several times in this final homestand. Of note, Zach Brzykcy was optioned back to Triple-A on Friday and the bullpen goes back to 8 relievers since the Nats currently have a 6-man rotation.
Here is a look at the matchups:
- Tuesday: Mitchell Parker vs. Royals
- Wednesday: DJ Herz vs. Royals
- Thursday: Patrick Corbin vs. Royals
- Friday: Trevor Williams vs. Phillies
- Saturday: MacKenzie Gore vs. Phillies
- Sunday: Jake Irvin vs. Phillies (Final Game of the Season)
Your top Washington Nationals on the FanGraphs’ WAR leaderboard has MacKenzie Gore at the top at 2.9 and just ahead of Luis Garcia Jr.. Jacob Young is at +2.6. CJ Abrams whose season has ended is at +1.8 WAR. There are 30 Nats’ players in positive WAR with another 7.
“We had some innings going where we could’ve gotten some runs. We just couldn’t drive in any runs. We just start chasing in those moments. Let the pitcher be the guy that feels like he’s got to struggle. We’re going to get better.”
— said manager Dave Martinez on Sunday
The Nats starting pitchers have a combined ERA of 4.45 and 23rd in MLB.
Here is how they rank:
No. 5 Starter: Patrick Corbin 5.58
No. 4 Starter: Mitchell Parker 4.44
No. 3 Starter: DJ Herz 4.30
No. 2 Starter: Jake Irvin 4.22
No. 1 Starter: MacKenzie Gore 4.04
Washington Nationals vs. Kansas City Royals
Stadium: Nationals Park, Washington, D.C.
1st Pitch: 6:45 pm EDT
TV: MASN2
Radio: 106.7 The Fan radio and via the MLB app; In Spanish on DC 87.7 FM and La Pantera 100.7 FM/1220 AM. On Sirius/XM, tune to Channel 179 for the home broadcast and the road team is online only.
Line-up subject to change (without notice):
TalkNats is celebrating the 5 and 100 year anniversaries of World Series Wins by providing Game-by-Game Summaries.
