Anyone for a Red Sox-Nationals World Series? Could well happen, but on Tuesday night it’s just an interleague regular-season game between pennant contenders from Washington, D.C. The Nationals opened as slight favorites on the MLB Odds, so let’s check which team is offering the best pro-baseball betting value.
It’s Tanner Roark (3-9, 4.10) on the mound. Roark allowed two runs (one earned) on seven hits and three walks while striking out five across six innings to take the loss Thursday against the Phillies. Spin: Roark battled his control, walking multiple batters for his fourth consecutive start. He also hit Odubel Herrera to start off the third inning, who ultimately came around to score to give the Phillies a 2-1 lead. On the positive side of things, Roark held his opponent homerless for the first time in five appearances (four starts).
Roark will be happy to turn the calendar page from the month of June when he posted a 6.08 ERA in six games (five starts). He entered last Thursday’s start having allowed 2.6 HR/9 across 20.2 innings in June. Roark has thrown only 3.2 career innings vs. Boston.
How to Bet Red Sox at Nationals MLB Odds & Prediction
Solid way to start off a series! #DirtyWater
🔗https://t.co/Bxg7ac8FZh pic.twitter.com/1sHCawNz6c — Red Sox (@RedSox) 3 de julio de 2018
- When: Tuesday, 6:05 PM ET
- Where: Nationals Park, Washington, D.C.
- Probable Pitchers: Brian Johnson/Tanner Roark
- TV: MLB Network
- Stream: MLB.tv
- Radio: Boston WEEI 93.5 / Washington 106.7 The Fan
- MLB Odds: Washington Nationals -115, Boston Red Sox -105 (Total at 9)
2018 World Series Betting Odds
Recent Head to Head (Last 10 Games)
- Runs: Boston Red Sox 5.50 / Washington Nationals 5.50
- Hits: Boston Red Sox 9.10 / Washington Nationals 8.60
- Walks: Boston Red Sox 3.10 / Washington Nationals 3.40
- Strikeouts: Boston Red Sox 8.20 / Washington Nationals 9.30
Why Bet on Boston?
The Red Sox will be no doubt thrilled to see Washington pitcher Tanner Roark because Boston had to face three-time Cy Young winner Max Scherzer in Monday’s series opener. Also, keep in mind that the Red Sox will lose the designated hitter for this series. That’s usually J.D. Martinez, which would be a huge loss as he’s an AL MVP favorite. Martinez is hitting .324 with 25 homers and 67 RBIs. He is the 1st Red Sox since Ted Williams in 1946 to have more HR at the All-Star break than any member of the team had in the entire season prior. The Sox would rather not Martinez in the outfield because they have three good guys out there and Martinez is a terrible defender. However, Manager Alex Cora has said Martinez will play in two of the three games of this series out there so I guess he will be in there Tuesday. Cora will juggle his outfield for the series as both Andrew Benintendi and Jackie Bradley will also sit one of the three games. The Sox have scored 5+ runs in a game 49 times this season, most in MLB (.857, 42-7). They are 22-1 (.957) in such games since 5/16. The Sox could make a trade soon as they have been talking to the Marlins about bullpen help, Kyle Barraclough, Adam Conley and Drew Steckenrider. Barraclough recently took over the closer role for the Marlins and has posted a brilliant 0.99 ERA over 37 appearances this season. He would be costly, though, as he’s under team control through 2021. It’s left-hander Brian Johnson (1-2, 4.28) on the mound. Last week, Johnson allowed one run over four innings in a spot start against the Angels. Johnson will be making his first career appearance vs. Washington. He’s 1-0 with a 3.18 ERA (4 ER/11.1 IP) in 3 career Interleague appearances (2 starts). Johnson looks forward to batting in D.C. as he hit 15 homers for the Florida Gators.Why Bet on Washington?
Could we actually see Washington put superstar Bryce Harper at first base occasionally? He took ground balls there Monday and first base coach Tim Bogar was instructing him. It’s something to keep an eye with the logjam in Washington’s outfield. Harper has only played the outfield since being drafted by the Nationals. The Nats are without three injured players in first baseman Ryan Zimmerman (oblique), first baseman Matt Adams (finger) and catcher Matt Wieters (hamstring). All hit in a simulated game Monday and are getting close. Zimmerman was moved to the 60-day disabled list Saturday and isn’t eligible to return until July 9. Rookie outfielder Juan Soto was named National League Rookie of the Month for June on Monday. He hit .317 (26-for-82) with six doubles, six homers, 15 RBI, 18 walks and 19 runs scored in 24 games during the month. He led National League rookies in batting average (.317), on-base percentage (.440), slugging percentage (.610), OPS (1.050), home runs (6) and walks (18). He ranked second in doubles (6), hits (26) and was third with 15 RBI for the month. Over his last 12 games, Trea Turner is 18-for-47 (.383) with one double, one triple, two homers, four RBI, five walks, two stolen bases and 11 runs scored.
It’s Tanner Roark (3-9, 4.10) on the mound. Roark allowed two runs (one earned) on seven hits and three walks while striking out five across six innings to take the loss Thursday against the Phillies. Spin: Roark battled his control, walking multiple batters for his fourth consecutive start. He also hit Odubel Herrera to start off the third inning, who ultimately came around to score to give the Phillies a 2-1 lead. On the positive side of things, Roark held his opponent homerless for the first time in five appearances (four starts).
Roark will be happy to turn the calendar page from the month of June when he posted a 6.08 ERA in six games (five starts). He entered last Thursday’s start having allowed 2.6 HR/9 across 20.2 innings in June. Roark has thrown only 3.2 career innings vs. Boston.
Latest MLB Betting Trends
- Boston is 6-2 ATS in its last 8 games
- Boston is 6-2 SU in its last 8 games
- The total has gone OVER in 9 of Boston’s last 12 games when playing Washington
- Washington is 2-4 ATS in its last 6 games at home
- Washington is 2-4 SU in its last 6 games at home
- The total has gone UNDER in 5 of Washington’s last 6 games
- Red Sox are 7-0 in Johnson’s last 7 starts
- Nationals are 1-6 in Roark’s last 7 home starts vs. a team with a winning record
- Over is 3-0-1 in Johnson’s last 4 road starts
- Over is 6-1 in Roark’s last 7 starts vs. American League East
