Free MLB Picks Today: Kansas City Royals vs Washington Nationals 5/26/23

Free MLB Picks Today: Kansas City Royals vs Washington Nationals 5/26/23
Fri 26th May 2023

The Kansas City Royals (15-36), one of the weakest lineups in MLB, are set to host the Washington Nationals (21-29) at Ewing M. Kauffman Stadium on Friday for the first of a three-game Interleague series.

The Nationals are playing their first of six games on the road after closing out a six-game homestand (3-3). They won only one out of three in their last series against the Padres, dropping the finale 8-6 on Thursday at Nationals Park.

Dominic Smith was 2 for 5 with a double, one run, and one RBI. Corey Dickerson added one run and one RBI on one hit. The Royals are in the midst of a six-game homestand.

They lost two of three against the Tigers in their last series, dropping the finale 6-4 on Wednesday at Ewing M. Kauffman Stadium. Vinnie Pasquantino went 3 for 4 with a double and one RBI.

Maikel Garcia added a double and one run. The teams are meeting for the first time since July 7, 2019, when the Nationals finished off a 2-1 series win with a 5-2 victory at Nationals Park.

ON THE MOUND

Patrick Corbin (3-5, 4.47 ERA) is slated to take the mound for Washington. The LHP allowed two runs over six innings in his last start, a 5-2 road win over the Tigers on Saturday. He got the win, giving up six hits while striking out three.

For Kansas City, right-hander Jordan Lyles (0-8, 7.15 ERA) gets the start. Lyles made one start against the Nationals in 2022, throwing 6.1 innings for the Orioles in a 3-0 home defeat on June 21. He gave up five hits and walked three, while striking out four in the loss.

In his last start on Saturday, Lyles took the loss on the road against the White Sox. He threw five innings and gave up five runs (4 ER) on four hits, striking out five and walking three in the 5-1 defeat.

AT THE PLATE

The Washington offense is averaging 4.2 runs per game for the season, third lowest in the National League, with a slash line of .264/.324/.383. Lane Thomas leads the team in OPS at .807. The center fielder is slashing .293/.345/.462 with seven home runs, 25 RBIs, and 32 runs over 49 games.

Over the last five games, though, Washington has averaged 5.2 runs a game while performing better across the board (.322/.351/.480). Against righties like Lyles this season, the Nats have a .666 OPS, fifth lowest in MLB.

Jeimer Candelario is the team’s best performer against right-handers with a .826 OPS in 124 at-bats. Kansas City is slashing .229/.292/.380 for the season and averaging 3.9 runs per game, fifth lowest in MLB. Salvador Perez leads the team with an .852 OPS.

The catcher has 11 home runs, 28 RBIs, and 24 runs scored with a slash line of .280/.321/.531. The Royals have a .745 OPS against southpaws in 2023. With a .844 OPS over 42 at-bats, Pasquantino has been their best hitter against left-handers.

HOME AND AWAY

Washington is on a three-game losing streak away from Nationals Park, bringing their record to 10-12 in 2023. The Nats have scored 4.8 runs per game away from home, while allowing 4.1 runs.

Kansas City has gone 7-19 at their home ballpark this season, averaging 4.3 runs per game while surrendering 5.8. Washington is 6-3 in nine games at Ewing M. Kauffman Stadium between the teams with an average scoreline of 6.7-3.7.

STANDINGS UPDATE

The Nationals are fifth in the NL East, nine games behind the division-leading Braves. The Royals are fifth in the AL Central, 11 games behind the Twins.

SportsTips’ MLB Pick:

Kansas City Royals (-105)

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*Odds correct at time of publication, courtesy of BetMGM.

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