Rick Porcello (0-1, 4.50 ERA) and Jordan Zimmermann (1-0, 1.50 ERA) take the hill in the first of a three-game series between the Boston Red Sox (4-2) and the Washington Nationals (2-4) at Fenway Park. Action begins at 3:05 p.m. ET on Monday, Apr. 13 and can be seen on MASN and NESN.
Porcello pitched 6.0 innings in his last outing, surrendering three runs, striking out four and walking two in a 4-2 defeat to the Phillies. Xander Bogaerts (.407 ) kept up his hot start yesterday, going 2 for 4 with two RBIs. When pitching against the Red Sox, Zimmermann is 1-0 with a 2.57 ERA, 1.07 WHIP, and 13 strikeouts. Bryce Harper (.261 ) went 1 for 5 yesterday with one run, one home run, and one RBI.
Boston is a -118 favorite against Washington and the Over/Under (O/U) for this game is sitting at eight runs. The Red Sox have an overall money line of +269 and a record as the favorite of 1-1. Boston leads the whole AL in walks, earning an average of 6.0 per game. As for the pitchers, opposing offenses have been stifled by the Red Sox, who have a team ERA of only 2.33. The Red Sox are the fifth-best team in the AL at limiting hits to their opponents, allowing only 6.6 hits per game so far this season. Opponents have consistently been struck out by the Red Sox, who rank second in the AL in strikeouts per game with 10.0.
Washington is 2-4 SU against American League opponents.
Predictions: SU Winner – BOS, O/U – Under
Notes
Washington has won 25% (1-3) of its games when leading after 7 innings. However, Boston has won 50% (1-1) of its games when taking a late lead.
After a weak showing last week where they got in eight hits, the Red Sox need to step it up. The Nationals have a record of 1-2 when opponents get eight hits or fewer.
When outhit, both the Red Sox and the Nationals have records of 0-2.
Washington ranks in the bottom half of the league at 16th when it comes to home runs, hitting five this season. Boston ranks in the top 10 at seventh with seven.
Ranking 14th, Washington is in the top half of the league in hits, notching 6.00 per game. Boston ranks in the top five at fourth with 10.00.
Ranking 26th, Washington is near the bottom of the league for its on-base plus slugging percentage (.574). Boston ranks in the top half at 13th with an OPS of .676.
When the Nationals allow at least one home run, they are 1-0. When the Red Sox allow one or more homers, they have a 2-2 record.
