Boston Red Sox (89-70) vs. Washington Nationals (65-94)
October 2, 2021 4:05 pm EDT
The Line: Washington Nationals +115 / Boston Red Sox -152; Over/Under: -9.5
(Get latest betting odds)
The Boston Red Sox and the Washington Nationals meet Saturday in MLB action from Nationals Park. This will be the second installment in a three-game weekend series to end the regular season. In the Friday opener, the Sox powered out a two-run victory. Check back all season long for free MLB picks at Sports Chat Place.
Boston had a rough time versus the Orioles this week, dropping two of three games in the series. On Friday versus the Nationals, Boston put up all their runs in the sixth inning during a 4-2 win. Starter Eduardo Rodriguez finished on 5.0 innings with five hits and three earned.
For the starter job in the Saturday game, the Red Sox didn’t immediately announce a name.
Over on the Nationals’ side, they managed a Monday win over the Rockies this week but lost the other two games. On Friday Washington posted nine team hits in the loss. Josh Rogers had 6.0 innings with four earned on seven hits and three walks.
Starting pitcher for the Nationals on Saturday will be Josiah Gray. This year Gray is 2-2 with a 5.85 ERA in 13 games (12 starts) alongside 69 Ks in 64.2 innings.
The Red Sox are 4-1 in their last five Saturday games and 40-12 in their last 52 interleague road games. Boston is 39-14 in their last 53 interleague road games versus a right-handed starter as well.
Meanwhile, the Nationals are 16-38 in their last 54 overall and 6-17 in their last 23 at home. Washington is also 6-20 in their last 26 Saturday games.
PICK: I’m going to take Boston. Gray has been a mixed bag over his last three games, but he’s been batter recently. In that trio, Gray has a total of 10 earned runs on eight walks and 13 hits across 16.2 frames. He’s 2-0 during that time and has escaped much of the potential damage. That said, the Red Sox should have ample opportunities to get baserunners in the early innings here.
