The Boston Red Sox are making a road trip to Washington to face the Nationals at Nationals Park. This interleague matchup will get going at 7:05 p.m. ET and fans can tune in to Mid-Atlantic Sports Network to catch the action.
Boston Red Sox vs. Washington Nationals Odds
Washington (-190) is the favorite against Boston (+180) and oddsmakers have set the Over/Under for this one at seven runs (-115 for the over and -105 for the under). Runline odds sit at -125 for taking the Red Sox +1.5 runs and +105 for the Nationals -1.5.
The Red Sox have gone 56-29 SU this year and are 48-36 against the spread (ATS). They’ve accumulated 14.7 units for gamblers taking the moneyline and 11.9 units ATS. The Nationals, on the other hand, are 42-40 SU and 40-41 ATS. The teams lost 12.3 units for bettors taking the moneyline and 2.9 units ATS.
Nationals games have an over/under record of 32-47-2 so far in 2018. Boston has an over/under record of 39-42-3.
Rick Porcello will get the nod for Boston. The right-handed Porcello (9-3, 3.60 ERA) has racked up 99 strikeouts in 104 innings so far. He has yet to face the Nationals this year and did not record a start against them in 2017, either.
The Nationals are sending righty Max Scherzer (10-4, 2.04 ERA) to the mound. Scherzer has 165 strikeouts and 27 walks to his name, as well as a WHIP of 0.85. Scherzer did not record a start against the Red Sox in 2017.
Boston’s pitchers have allowed 3.8 runs per game and its starters own a 3.83 ERA, 1.21 WHIP and 9.59 K/9. The bullpen has a solid ERA of just 3.17, along with a K/9 of 9.48.
Red Sox hitters have slashed .265/.333/.456 on their way to 5.2 runs scored per game this year, including 6.5 runs per game over the teams last 10 games and 5.2 per game over the teams last five contests (3-2 SU).
Boston’s offensive production has been powered by J.D. Martinez and Andrew Benintendi, who have already combined to drive in 120 runs. Martinez is hitting .324/.391/.634 with 25 home runs, 67 RBIs and 58 runs scored, while Benintendi has a .284 average with 13 homers, 53 RBIs, 56 runs and 16 stolen bases.
In the home-team dugout, Washington’s pitching staff has given up 3.9 runs per game overall in 2018. Its starting pitching staff has an ERA of 3.60, a WHIP of 1.18 and a strikeouts-per-nine of 9.5. The bullpen has a 3.78 ERA, 1.16 WHIP and 8.9 K/9.
Washington’s offense has put up 4.2 runs per outing, including 4.2 per game over its last 10 games and 5.0 per game over its last five. The team has hit .243/.338/.425 over its last five contests and is 1-4 SU during that stretch.
The Nationals hitters have been led by shortstop Trea Turner and third baseman Anthony Rendon. Turner is slashing .274/.357/.412 with nine home runs, 29 RBIs, 48 runs and 22 steals, while Rendon’s line sits at .293/.359/.531 with 11 homers, 36 RBIs and 34 runs.
Boston Red Sox at Washington Nationals Pick
Predictions: SU Winner – Nationals, ATS Winner – Red Sox, O/U – OVER
Betting Notes
- Boston has recorded 18 extra-base hits over its last five contests. Washington has 17 XBH over its last five.
- The Nationals have lost five of their last six games SU.
- Washington has posted 21.2 Runs + Hits + Errors per game over its last 10 outings and 22.6 over its last five.
- The Red Sox have hit 15 home runs in their last 10 games. The Nationals have hit 11 over their last 10.
