We have reached the final week of the season, and that means six more scheduled home games, all against teams still playing for something. The Phillies, who have clinched the division but are fighting with the Dodgers for home field advantage, will be here this weekend. First up, though, it’s the Royals, who had been among the season’s best stories, trying to make the playoffs after losing 106 games last year. Now, though, Kansas City is fighting for its life, having lost seven in a row while seeing the Tigers shockingly come out of nowhere to catch them in the standings.
The Royals have a lot of young talent, and that includes tonight’s starting pitcher: Cole Ragans. The 26-year-old left-hander was an All-Star this season and enters this game with a 3.24 ERA and 217 strikeouts in 180 1/3 innings. This is the first time he’s facing the Nationals in his career.
Kansas City’s lineup, featuring MVP candidate Bobby Witt Jr., will be facing an unfamiliar foe as well in Mitchell Parker. The rookie left-hander makes his final start of the season, hoping to bounce back from a rough outing against the Mets last week and close out what has been an impressive debut campaign on a high note.
The Nationals made a roster move today: Stone Garrett is back in the major leagues, recalled from Triple-A Rochester about 13 months after breaking his leg at Yankee Stadium. He takes the roster spot of Andres Chaparro, who has gone on paternity leave.
WASHINGTON NATIONALS vs KANSAS CITY ROYALS
Where: Nationals Park
Gametime: 6:45 p.m. EDT
TV: MASN2, MLB.tv
Radio: 106.7 FM, 88.7 FM (Spanish), MLB.com
Weather: Chance of rain, 69 degrees, wind 8 mph right field to left field
NATIONALS
Lineup TBA
LHP Mitchell Parker
ROYALS
Lineup TBA
LHP Cole Ragans