Red Sox vs. Nationals Prediction: Plenty of Runs Expected in Washington
By Thomas Snodgrass
The Boston Red Sox will need another win today to help hold their narrow one game lead over the Seattle Mariners and Toronto Blue Jays in the AL Wild Card standings.
The Washington Nationals have already fallen out of the playoff picture, but can the Nats pull the Red Sox down with them?
Tanner Houck (1-5, 3.80 ERA) will get the starting nod today from manager Alex Cora. Houck has been utilized in a swingman role, starting when needed, relieving when called upon. The young right-handed pitcher has made three consecutive appearances out of the bullpen, so I wouldn’t expect him to go deep in this game. This could be trouble for Boston since they used five relievers in yesterday’s game.
Josiah Gray (2-2, 5.85 ERA) will toe the rubber for Washington. Gray has been getting hit hard this season, allowing 18 home runs in just 64 ⅔ innings this season, and has struggled of late, posting an ERA of 7.53 in his last seven appearances.
Here are the odds for this matchup, courtesy of WynnBET Sportsbook.
Red Sox vs. Nationals Odds
Moneyline:
Red Sox -160
Nationals +150
Run Line:
Red Sox -1.5 (+100)
Nationals +1.5 (-120)
Total:
9.5 (Over -105/Under -115)
Red Sox vs. Nationals Prediction
Boston didn’t get its offense going until the sixth inning in yesterday’s game, but I think they will get the offense going early in this one. Gray has allowed a lot of damage in the first three innings of the game and has struggled against hitters leading off (.311 average against).
The Red Sox should put plenty of runs on the board today, but they’ll need to do it early to take some pressure off of their potentially taxed bullpen.
I’ll take Boston on the moneyline at +150, and I’ll take the over 9.5 runs.
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