Justin Masterson (1-0, 3.00 ERA) and Stephen Strasburg (0-1, 5.06 ERA) are on the hill in the second of a three-game series between the Boston Red Sox (5-2) and the Washington Nationals (2-5) at Fenway Park. The Red Sox won the last game 9-4 and Boston leads the series 1-0. Action begins at 6:10 p.m. ET on Tuesday, Apr. 14 and can be seen on MASN and NESN.
Masterson pitched 6.0 innings in his last outing, surrendering two runs, striking out seven and walking two in a 6-2 win over the Phillies. Xander Bogaerts (.433 ) kept up his hot start yesterday, going 2 for 3 with two runs and one RBI. Against the Red Sox, Strasburg is 1-0 with a 3.00 ERA, 1.00 WHIP, and 13 strikeouts. Ryan Zimmerman (.154 ) went 1 for 3 yesterday with two runs, one home run, and one RBI.
Boston is a slim -110 favorite at home against Washington. According to the oddsmakers, the Over/Under (O/U) is currently seven runs. The Red Sox have an overall money line of +169 and a record as the favorite of 1-1. The Red Sox are one of the best in the MLB in terms of home runs with nine. Boston is one of the best in the MLB in terms of steals, swiping six bases. As for the pitchers, opponents have consistently been struck out by the Red Sox, who rank second in the AL in strikeouts per game with 9.2.
Washington is 2-4 SU against teams in the AL.
The Red Sox have the edge in the season series, 1-0.
Predictions: SU Winner – BOS, O/U – Under
Notes
Washington has won 20% (1-4) of its games when leading after 7 innings. However, Boston has won 67% (2-1) of its games when taking a late lead.
The Red Sox are coming into this game after allowing two walks during their last outing. The Nationals have a 0-3 record when opponents give up that many walks or fewer.
When outhit, both the Red Sox and the Nationals have records of 0-2.
Washington ranks in the top 10 of the league at ninth when it comes to home runs, hitting seven this season. Boston ranks in the top five at third with nine.
Ranking 14th, Washington is in the top half of the league in hits, notching 6.50 per game. Boston ranks in the top five at fourth with 9.67.
Ranking 26th, Washington is near the bottom of the league for its on-base plus slugging percentage (.571). Boston ranks in the top 10 at 10th with an OPS of .720.
The Nationals are 1-1 in games where they allow one or more home runs. The Red Sox are 3-2 when they allow at least one homer.
