MLB

Boston Red Sox vs. Washington Nationals, 7/2/2018 Prediction & Preview

Cardinals vs Nationals

The struggling Washington Nationals could have a difficult time getting back on track. Even though Max Scherzer takes the hill on Monday night, the Nats host the angry Boston Red Sox.

Game Snapshot & Odds

961 Boston Red Sox at 962 Washington Nationals

Monday, July 2, 2018

7:05 p.m. ET, Nationals Park

TV: BOS (NESN); WSH (MASN)

Public Betting Trends

Oddsmakers from online sportsbooks currently list the Nationals as a -155 favorite. As of this writing, 64% of the betting tickets wagered at online sportsbooks are on the Red Sox to beat the Nationals on the moneyline.

Red Sox’ Porcello burned by home runs in start vs. Angels

Rick Porcello was tagged for eight hits and four runs over 5 2/3 innings Wednesday in a no-decision against the Angels. The right-hander delivered five strikeouts while also walking a pair of batters. Porcello blanked the Angels over his first four frames before finally yielding a solo blast to Ian Kinsler in the fifth. He served up another long ball in the sixth when Martin Maldonado blasted a three-run homer to deep center. That’s been a recurring problem for Porcello, who allowed a league-high 38 round-trippers in 2017. The former Cy Young winner will take a 9-3 record into his next start Monday in D.C.

Nationals’ Scherzer gets zero run support in loss to Rays

Max Scherzer was handed a tough-luck loss Tuesday after tossing seven innings of one-run ball against the Rays. Scherzer didn’t have his best stuff, but he held the Rays off the board after giving up a run on a fielder’s choice in the first inning. The Rays threatened in his final inning of work — getting runners to second and third with one out — but Scherzer struck out Adeiny Hechavarria and got Kevin Kiermaier to foul out to escape. The Nats’ ace struck out four (tying a season-low) and walked three in the loss. He still owns a brilliant 2.04 ERA and 165/27 K/BB ratio in 114 2/3 innings through 17 starts. Up next is a start against the Red Sox at home next Monday. He’ll hope for some better support from his offense.

MLB Betting Trends

Boston

The Red Sox have won four of their last five games coming off a loss.

Washington

The Nationals have won five of their last seven interleague home games.

Prediction:

The Nationals are 21-5 in Scherzer’s last 26 starts when their opponent scores two runs or fewer in their previous game. They’re also 16-5 in his last 21 home starts and have won 46 of his last 65 starts overall. The Red Sox, meanwhile, are 3-7 in Porcello’s last 10 road starts when he faces a team with a winning record.

The Pick: Washington Nationals -150

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