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Kansas City Royals vs Washington Nationals August 13th 2025
The Washington Nationals will visit the Kansas City Royals at Kauffman Stadium on Wednesday, August 13, 2025. The game is scheduled for 2:10 PM and will be aired on FDSKC. The Nationals hold a 47-72 record, ranking fifth in the NL East, and have lost their last two games. Meanwhile, the Royals are at an even 60-60, sitting third in the AL Central, and have won their last two games.
Weather conditions are expected to be warm with a clear sky and a light breeze. Jake Irvin will start on the mound for the Nationals, bringing an ERA of 4.90 and a WHIP of 1.34. The Royals will counter with Seth Lugo, who has an ERA of 3.46 and a WHIP of 1.20. Both teams will look to gain momentum as they continue their seasons.
Nationals vs Royals Key Information
- Sport: Baseball
- Teams: Washington Nationals vs. Kansas City Royals
- Venue: Kauffman Stadium in Kansas City, MO
- Date: Wednesday, August 13, 2025
- Betting Odds: Nationals +151, Royals -180
The Nationals Can Win If…
The Washington Nationals recently played against the Kansas City Royals and lost 8-5. Despite the loss, the Nationals showed strong hitting with 10 hits. CJ Abrams and James Wood each had two hits and contributed with runs and RBIs.
Washington’s hitting stats show they can win games. They rank 8th in doubles with 195 and 11th in batting average at .244. Their ability to hit consistently gives them a chance to score runs and put pressure on their opponents.
Jake Irvin will start for the Nationals with an ERA of 4.90. He has a record of 8-7, showing he can help lead the team to victory. With strong performances from key hitters like Abrams and Wood, the Nationals have the tools to win this game.
The Royals Can Win If…
The Kansas City Royals are coming off a strong performance against the Washington Nationals, winning 8-5 at home. Vinnie Pasquantino was the standout player, driving in five runs with a home run and a double. Jonathan India also contributed with a home run and two RBIs, showing the depth in the Royals’ lineup.
The Royals have shown they can be a tough team to beat, especially with their pitching. Their team ERA is 3.63, ranking 4th in the league, and they have given up a batting average against of .237, which is 6th best. Seth Lugo, who will start the next game, has a solid ERA of 3.46 and can give them a strong start.
Kansas City’s ability to hit doubles has been a key factor, with 212 doubles this season, ranking 3rd in the league. This extra-base power can be crucial in putting pressure on opposing pitchers. With players like Maikel Garcia and Bobby Witt Jr. consistently getting on base, the Royals have a lineup capable of producing runs against any opponent.
The Lean
The Royals are favored with a moneyline of -180 against the Nationals at +151. The Royals have a strong pitching staff with a 3.63 ERA, ranking 4th in the league. My model projects the Royals to win with a score of 5-3. Based on these factors, I recommend taking the Royals to win straight up.
The total for this game is set at 9.0 runs. The Royals’ pitching is solid, while the Nationals’ pitching struggles with a 5.34 ERA, ranking 29th. My model projects a total score of 8 runs. Given this projection, I recommend betting on the under 9.0 runs.
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Royals Turn to Seth Lugo in Bid to Sweep Nationals
The Kansas City Royals will hand the ball to veteran right-hander Seth Lugo on Wednesday as they aim to sweep the Washington Nationals in a three-game set at Kauffman Stadium. Kansas City’s playoff push could hinge on Lugo regaining form after a rough recent stretch — and solving a Nationals lineup that has given him trouble over his career.
Since signing a two-year, $46 million extension last month, Lugo (8-6, 3.46 ERA) has posted a 7.53 ERA over three starts, none lasting more than six innings. His most recent outing was his worst of the year: seven runs and nine hits allowed over just four innings in a 9-4 loss to Minnesota. Still, Kansas City has been hot at home, winning four straight and 10 of its last 14 games at Kauffman.
Lugo vs. Nationals – Career Numbers
| Stat | Value |
|---|---|
| Games vs. WSH | 40 |
| Starts | 6 |
| W-L Record | 1-4 |
| ERA | 6.59 |
Kansas City’s offense has supported its recent home dominance, outscoring Washington 15-9 through the first two games of this series. Jonathan India homered on Tuesday, while Vinnie Pasquantino delivered five RBIs, including a three-run blast. Pasquantino has now recorded three games with at least five RBIs this season.
The Nationals, meanwhile, have dropped 10 of their last 13 games and have issued six walks in each of the first two games in Kansas City. Former Royal Paul DeJong has three hits in the series but is just 0-for-7 against Lugo lifetime. Washington All-Star James Wood has been one of the few bright spots, tallying eight hits and seven RBIs over his past four games.
Probable Pitching Matchup
| Pitcher | Team | W-L | ERA | Last Start |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Seth Lugo | Royals | 8-6 | 3.46 | 4 IP, 7 ER vs. MIN |
| Jake Irvin | Nationals | 8-7 | 4.90 | 5.1 IP, 3 ER vs. SF |
Jake Irvin will look to stop his skid after back-to-back losses in his first two August starts, where he surrendered a combined eight earned runs across 9 1/3 innings. While he has never faced Kansas City, Irvin has a history against some Royals from their previous teams — India is just 1-for-9 against him.
Kansas City has dominated this head-to-head matchup recently, winning five straight against Washington while holding a 26-13 run advantage since last season.
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