May 25, 2023 2:00 pm
The Washington Nationals are set to visit Kansas City for the first time in seven years when they oppose the Royals in the opener of a three-game set on Friday.Washington took two of three at Kansas City in May 2016. The teams have met once since then, when the host Nationals claimed two of three in July 2019.Nationals left-hander Patrick Corbin (3-5, 4.47 ERA) will oppose Royals right-hander Jordan Lyles (0-8, 7.15) on Friday.Corbin helped the Nationals to their 2019 series victory by throwing seven shutout innings, striking out 11 and walking none. He got a no-decision in a game that Washington won 5-2.Corbin has allowed no runs over 9 2/3 innings in two appearances against the Royals. Among current Kansas City hitters, only Matt Duffy has hit safely against Corbin, going 3-for-12.In each of his seven starts since April 16, Corbin has thrown at least 5 1/3 innings while allowing no more than three earned runs. He has six quality starts this year, tied for fifth in the National League.Corbin, who is coming off consecutive wins, hasn't won three straight decisions since May 2021. His command of the strike zone has been especially sharp of late, as he has allowed just one walk over his past 25 innings.The Nationals arrive in Kansas City after dropping an 8-6 decision against the San Diego Padres on Thursday afternoon to complete a 3-3 homestand.While Washington has lost six of its past nine games, its offense has been more productive recently, generating 52 runs in the past 10 games.Leadoff hitter Lane Thomas has a 10-game hitting streak in which he is batting .366 (15-for-41) with three home runs.Ildemaro Vargas has hit safely in six of eight games since his May 3 return from the 10-day injured list, batting .440 (11-for-25). He had been out for almost a month due to a left shoulder strain."I can't say enough about what Vargas does," Nationals manager Dave Martinez said. "He goes out there and plays with a lot of fun, a lot of energy."Over his past 10 games, Washington's Jeimer Candelario is hitting .436 (17-for-39) with eight extra-base hits. Among Nationals hitters, Candelario has the most experience against Lyles, with one hit in eight at-bats.