The Royals have the talent and have spent the money. Still, they entered Wednesday’s action four games behind the New York Yankees for the third and final spot in the American League Wild Card race. Wins are the only thing that can change that.

After starter Jake Irvin struggles, bullpen pieces together five innings of one-run ball in an 8-7 win that included no shortage of drama.

In one of the most exciting games of the season, the Washington Nationals overcame a Royals comeback thanks to Daylen Lile’s clutch hitting. This game showed the best and the worst of the Nats. The young offense was humming, but inconsistencies and poor pitching made this closer than it needed to be.