Boston Red Sox (89-69) vs. Washington Nationals (65-94)
October 1, 2021 7:05 pm EDT
The Line: Washington Nationals +140 / Boston Red Sox -185; Over/Under: +10
(Get latest betting odds)
The Boston Red Sox and the Washington Nationals meet Friday in MLB action from Nationals Park. Boston is coming off a series versus the Orioles. After splitting the first two games, on Thursday the Red Sox lost by four runs. As for the Nationals, they played the Rockies this week. Washington lost two of three in that set. Check back all season long for free MLB picks at Sports Chat Place.
Boston took a tough 4-2 loss to Baltimore on Tuesday, but then bounced back with a nice 6-0 win in game two. On Thursday the Red Sox had just five hits in a 6-2 defeat. Nick Pivetta lasted 4.2 innings with three earned on four hits and two walks.
For the starter gig in the Friday game, the Sox will send out Eduardo Rodriguez. This year in 151.2 innings Rodriguez has 167 hits, 87 runs (83 earned), 19 homers, 44 walks, 178 Ks and a 4.93 ERA.
Over on the Nationals’ side, they managed a 5-4 win over the Rockies Monday but then fell in the next two games 3-1 and 10-5. In the Wednesday loss, Washington starter Paolo Espino gave up four earned on four hits and a walk in just 2.0 innings.
Starter for the Friday opener will be Washington’s Josh Rogers. This year Rogers has 29.2 innings with 25 hits, nine earned runs, five homers, 11 walks, 19 Ks and a 2.73 ERA.
The Red Sox are 18-5 in their last 23 Friday games and 40-12 in the last 52 interleague road games. Boston is also 25-10 in their last 35 versus a team with a losing record.
Meanwhile, the Nationals are 7-15 in their last 22 after an off day and 16-38 in their last 54 overall. Washington is 8-22 in their last 30 versus a lefty starter as well.
PICK: I’m going Red Sox. It’ll be interesting to see what Rogers can do here, though. He had a pretty good string of games going but was a little shaky in his last outing. Rogers put up three earned on seven hits, two homers and four walks in 4.2 frames there. As for Rodriguez, he’s on a solid run over his last three games and shouldn’t have too many issues here. This should be Boston’s win to take.
