The Nationals play in a large market and won a championship as recently as 2019, but for the last five years they have operated like a poverty franchise. Their $111 million Opening Day payroll is less than what the small-market Royals paid, and a third of that goes to retired pitcher Stephen Strasburg. The rebuild has failed to produce many useful players, and they are well on their way to losing 90+ games for the fifth consecutive year.

Washington Nationals (47-70) vs. Kansas City Royals (58-60) at Kauffman Stadium, Kansas City, MO

Nationals: 4.26 runs scored/game (20th in MLB), 5.48 runs allowed/game (29th)

Royals: 3.68 runs scored/game (29th), 3.84 runs allowed/game (2nd)

Only three teams have hit fewer home runs and drawn fewer walks than the Nationals (the Royals being one of them

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