The Boston Red Sox and the Washington Nationals meet Sunday in MLB action from Nationals Park. We will look at this from a betting perspective and determine the best bets for this game. Here’s a Nationals vs Red Sox Prediction.
Starting Pitching Matchup
The Boston Red Sox will send out Garrett Crochet for the start here and Crochet is 8-4 with a 2.34 ERA and 144 strikeouts this season. This will be Crochet’s second career start against the Nationals. Shinnosuke Ogasawara will get the start here for Washington and is making his major league debut here.
Boston Red Sox Recap
The Boston Red Sox come into this game looking to build on their 10-3 win over the Nationals from Saturday’s matchup to sit at 45-45 on the year. After this series, the Red Sox will head home for a series against the Colorado Rockies.
Red Sox Win 5 Of Their Last 7
Alex Bregman has 59 hits including 17 doubles along with 11 home runs and 35 RBIs this season. Trevor Story’s added 83 hits with 13 home runs, 51 RBIs and 14 stolen bases while Jarren Duran has 94 hits with 22 doubles, 9 triples, 6 home runs, 42 RBIs and a team-high 15 stolen bases. Kristian Campbell’s added 51 hits with 10 doubles, 6 homers and 21 RBIs while Wilyer Abreu has 17 home runs with 49 RBIs and 5 stolen bases and Ceddanne Rafaela has 9 homers, 18 doubles, 2 triples, 34 RBIs and 11 stolen bases this season.
Why the Boston Red Sox will win
- The Red Sox have won seven of their last eight games against NL East opponents that held a losing record.
- The Nationals have lost each of their last six day games against the Red Sox following a loss.
- The Nationals have failed to cover the run line in 11 of their last 12 home games after playing the previous day.
- The Red Sox have covered the run line in each of their last seven Sunday games as road favorites.
Boston Red Sox Player Prop Facts
- Ceddanne Rafaela has recorded at least one Double in five of the Red Sox’s last six games against NL opponents.
- Triston Casas has recorded at least one hit in each of his last 11 appearances against NL opponents that held a losing record.
- Triston Casas has hit a home run in three of his last four appearances in day games against NL teams that held a losing record.
- Garrett Crochet ranks 1st in the league for total Strikeouts (144) this season.
Washington Nationals Recap
The Washington Nationals come into this game looking to rebound from their loss at the hands of the Red Sox on Saturday to drop to 37-52 on the year. After this series, the Nationals will head on the road for a series against the St. Louis Cardinals.
Nationals Trying To Rebound
Keibert Ruiz has 62 hits with 12 doubles and a pair of home runs with 24 RBIs while James Wood has 96 hits with 19 doubles and a team-high 23 home runs along with 67 RBIs and 12 stolen bases while also putting up 103 strikeouts. Nathaniel Lowe has 77 hits with 14 doubles and 58 RBIs along with 13 home runs and 100 strikeouts. CJ Abrams has 12 home runs and 31 RBIs along with 18 doubles and 19 stolen bases while Luis Garcia Jr. has 19 doubles and 8 stolen bases of his own this season. Dylan Crews has also logged 11 stolen bases as well this season.
Why the Washington Nationals will win
- The Nationals have won four of their last five games as home underdogs against AL East opponents following a loss.
- The Red Sox have lost three of their last four games as favorites following a road win.
- The Nationals have covered the run line in six of their last seven games following a loss.
- The Red Sox have failed to cover the run line in five of their last six day games against NL East opponents following a win.
Washington Nationals Player Prop Facts
- Paul DeJong has hit a home run in each of his last two appearances with his team as a home underdog against the Red Sox.
- CJ Abrams has recorded at least one hit in each of the Nationals’ last eight games against AL opponents.
- James Wood ranks 5th amongst qualified players for On Base Percentage (.391) this season.
Total Runs Facts
- Each of the Nationals’ last eight games have gone OVER the total runs line.
- Five of the Red Sox’s last six games against National League opponents have gone OVER the total runs line.
Nationals vs Red Sox Prediction
I’m backing the Red Sox in this one. I just can’t get behind the Nationals with Ogasawara making his major league debut here, as it’s just not a great spot to begin with. Even if he pitches well, the Nationals’ bullpen has been nothing short of problematic. Garrett Crochet’s had his ups and downs as well, and the Red Sox bullpen hasn’t been great in its own right, but I still think that the Red Sox are in the better position here. Give me the Red Sox -1.5.