On September 25, 2024, at 6:45 PM, the Kansas City Royals will go head-to-head with the Washington Nationals at Nationals Park under a forecast of light rain. Pitching for the Royals will be Michael Lorenzen, who carries an ERA of 3.429. His counterpart from the Nationals, DJ Herz, will take the mound with an ERA of 4.303.

In the standings within the 2024 AL Central Division, the Royals are placed fifth with a record of 83 wins and 74 losses, indicating a winning percentage of 0.53. They have a strong divisional record with 33 wins and 19 losses, ranking them second in the division. Currently, they are riding a wave with 3 wins in their last 10 matches and a W1 streak. Their home record stands at 45-36, while they are balanced on the road with 38 wins and 38 losses. The team has performed notably better in night games, amassing 52 wins compared to 31 in day matches. Overall, they have scored 720 runs and given up 633.

The Nationals, on the other hand, find themselves in 13th position in the NL East Division with a 69-88 record, which translates to a 0.44 winning percentage. They hold a division record of 23 wins against 26 losses, placing them fourth. Their recent performance mirrors the Royals with 3 wins in their last 10 games and they’re currently on a L2 streak. Their home record stands at 36-40, with road games at 33-48. Their ability to score and defend has resulted in accumulating 638 runs while conceding 744.

When considering the odds for this matchup, the Royals are favored with a -120 moneyline compared to the Nationals at +101, indicating a closely contested game. The over/under is set at 7.5, which could tilt towards the under given both teams’ recent form. The point spread suggests the Royals lead by 1.5, aligning with their slight edge in their season performances and pitching matchup.