In the first of a three-game series between the Kansas City Royals (13-11) and the Washington Nationals (17-7) at Ewing M. Kauffman Stadium, Edinson Volquez (3-1, 3.34 ERA) and Gio Gonzalez (1-1, 1.42 ERA) get the start. The game starts at 8:15 p.m. ET on Monday, May. 2 and will air on MASN and FSKC.
In his most recent outing, Volquez pitched 5.0 innings, giving up eight runs, striking out three and walking two in a 9-4 loss to the Angels. Eric Hosmer (.333, 11 Rs, 4 HRs, 9 RBIs, 3 SBs) played well again yesterday, going 2 for 4 with one run, one home run, and one RBI. The Nationals were unsuccessful against the Phillies 3-0 the last time Gonzalez pitched. He went 6.1 innings, allowing two, striking out five and walking three. Daniel Murphy (.365, 12 Rs, 2 HRs, 12 RBIs, 1 SB) went 1 for 4 yesterday with one RBI.
The odds are even for this game and the Over/Under (O/U) is currently unavailable. The Royals have a SU record of 14-7 against the National League. The most recent 10-game stretch for the Royals has gone great. Over that span, Kansas City is averaging 0.0 runs per game, well over their season average of 0.0. The Royals are a nightmare on the bases for opponents with 20 steals, one of the highest totals in baseball. Transitioning to the Kansas City defense and pitching staff, teams routinely struggle to score runs against the Royals, who allow only 2.8 runs per home game. The Royals don’t give up many hits to opposing batters, ranking fifth in the AL with only 7.5 hits allowed per game.
When playing Interleague opponents, the Nationals have a 12-10 record SU. Washington has been playing better lately, averaging 0.0 runs per game, more than their season average of 0.0. Washington’s pitching staff and defense as a whole have been firing on all cylinders so far, averaging an NL-best 0.0 runs allowed per game. They have a WHIP of 1.064 on the year, good for second in the league.
Predictions: SU Winner – WAS
Notes
The Royals are coming off of a hot pitching game where they recorded 10 strikeouts. The Nationals have a record of 6-3 when they are struck out that many times or more.
When they are outhit, the Royals are 2-7. The Nationals have a 3-6 record when opponents outhit them.
Kansas City ranks near the bottom of the league when it comes to home runs, hitting 21 this season. Washington ranks in the top 10 with 29.
Ranking 20th, Washington is in the bottom half of the league in hits, notching 7.83 per game. Kansas City ranks in the top half at 12th with 8.50.
Kansas City and Washington both rank in the bottom half of the league for their on-base plus slugging percentage. Kansas City sits at 20th with an OPS of .700, and Washington ranks 19th with an OPS of .704.
The Nationals are 9-5 in games where they allow one or more home runs. The Royals are 7-9 when they allow at least one homer.
