Washington @ Kansas City preview

Last Meeting ( Aug 24, 2013 ) Washington 7, Kansas City 2

The Washington Nationals are finally surging and are trying to get back into contention in the National League wild card race. The Kansas City Royals, who host the Nationals in the finale of a three-game set on Sunday, are moving in the opposite direction. The Royals will try to avoid an eighth straight loss on Sunday and are eight games back in the American League wild card race.

Washington has won five straight to pull above .500 at 65-64 and to within 8 1/2 games of the Cincinnati Reds for the second NL wild card slot. The Nationals are pounding Kansas City pitching for 18 runs in the first two games of the series, with Bryce Harper leading the charge with four RBIs. The Royals won 19 of 24 coming out of the All-Star break to jump into contention but have since dropped 10 of 12.

TV: 2:10 p.m. ET, MASN2 (Washington), FSN Kansas City

PITCHING MATCHUP: Nationals RH Dan Haren (8-11, 4.64 ERA) vs. Royals RH Ervin Santana (8-7, 3.13)

Haren is emerging as one of Washington’s best starters over the last month, going 4-0 with a 1.36 ERA in five starts. The veteran is keeping the ball in the park and limiting opponents to five walks in his last 34 innings. Haren, who spent most of his career in the AL, owns a 5-2 record with a 2.53 ERA in 10 career starts against Kansas City.

Santana is looking for his third straight quality start after allowing two runs (one earned) on four hits in six innings against the Chicago White Sox on Tuesday. The Dominican native still suffered the loss in that turn and is winless in three straight. Santana is facing the Nationals for the fourth time in his career and owns a 3.10 ERA with no decisions in those starts.

WALK-OFFS

1. Nationals RF Jayson Werth sat out Saturday with a foot infection and is day-to-day.

2. Kansas City DH Billy Butler has four hits in the first two games of the series.

3. Washington OF Tyler Moore recorded multiple hits in each of his last five games.

PREDICTION: Nationals 6, Royals 3