Alvarez Aims to Extend Royals' Woes in DC

The Kansas City Royals are set to begin a three-game series against the Washington Nationals in Washington D.C. The Nationals enter the series having won their last two games and will look to extend this streak. Washington is expected to start pitcher Andrew Alvarez, who has demonstrated strong performance at Nationals Park this season.

The Royals are handing the ball to Mitch Spence, who was recently recalled from Triple-A Omaha. Spence's track record this season includes a difficult MLB debut and high ERA figures in the minors. His struggles at Omaha, particularly with home runs and hits allowed per nine innings, could be a significant issue against a Nationals lineup that has been hitting .280 over the past week.

This matchup also presents potential for a high-scoring game, with the Over 9.5 runs being a potential bet. Both teams' offenses have been productive recently, with the Royals hitting with power and the Nationals' bullpen showing vulnerability. Conversely, the Royals' bullpen also struggles with allowing home runs and has a concerning ERA, offering another avenue for runs.

Trends indicate that the Nationals have frequently gone over the total number of runs in their home games, cashing the Over in 30 of their last 45 home contests. This suggests a history of high-scoring games at Nationals Park.