The Washington Nationals (11-17) and Boston Red Sox (10-21) will play the first game of their weekend series Friday with the first pitch from Fenway Park coming at 7:30 p.m. ET. We analyze the Nationals-Red Sox betting odds and lines, with MLB picks and best bets.
Nationals at Red Sox: Projected starting pitchers
RHP Max Scherzer vs. LHP Martin Perez
Scherzer hasn’t been as sharp as usual this season, going 2-1 with a 4.31 ERA and 44 strikeouts in 31 1/3 innings.
- Scherzer is still striking batters out at a high clip, but he has allowed five home runs already in six starts.
- Has had some trouble with control, too, walking 3.7 batters per nine innings – the highest rate of his career.
Perez has been the Red Sox’s most consistent and reliable starter despite a 2-3 record. He has a respectable 3.45 ERA in 31 1/3 innings.
- Perez is averaging a career-high 4.3 BB/9 this season and is striking out 6.6 batters per nine innings.
- Had his best outing last week, pitching seven innings of one-run ball in a no-decision against the Baltimore Orioles.
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Nationals at Red Sox: Key injuries
Get the latest injury news here.
Nationals
- 2B Starlin Castro (wrist) out
- RP Roenis Elias (elbow) out
Red Sox
- OF Andrew Benintendi (ribs) out
Nationals at Red Sox: Odds, lines, picks and betting tips
MLB odds courtesy of BetMGM; access USA TODAY Sports for a full list. Odds last updated at noon ET.
Prediction
Nationals 6, Red Sox 4
Moneyline (ML)
The NATIONALS (-154) are 4-2 in Scherzer’s start this season, with one of those losses coming in a game where he pitched only one inning (allowing one run). They’re predictably favored over the Red Sox (+140) on the moneyline, but it’s not as if they’ve had a strong start to the year.
Still, the Red Sox’s pitching staff has been one of the weakest in baseball, and Washington should be able to end its three-game losing skid with a win Friday night. Take the NATIONALS (-154) to win outright.
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Run line/Against the spread (ATS)
The NATIONALS -1.5 (-106) will need to win by at least 2 runs to cover the run line against the Red Sox (+1.5, -115). Scherzer being on the mound always helps Washington, even if the bats have gone cold in the last two games.
The Nats should be able to keep Boston in check offensively, especially with Benintendi still out. It’ll be close, but take the NATIONALS -1.5 (-106) to cover the spread Friday.
Over/Under (O/U)
The Over/Under is set at 9.5 runs. The total has gone Under consistently for the Red Sox (five of their last seven), but the Nats have been pushing the total Over lately (11 of the last 14 games). Scherzer hasn’t been as sharp as he usually is, though, which could push the total Over 9.5 runs tonight.
Bet the OVER 9.5 (-110), considering the Red Sox have allowed at least five runs in each of their last five games.
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