Early start!
The Red Sox are on a brief road trip to play the Washington Nationals before finishing the unofficial first half of the season at home against the Colorado Rockies and Tampa Bay Rays. They are coming off their first series win in two weeks in what was nearly a sweep of the Cincinnati Reds. They have three games to make up in the Wild Card. They will face, in addition a to the Rays, the Chicago Cubs, Philadelphia Philles, and Los Angeles Dodgers between now and the trade deadline. Are they buyer or sellers? Winning will make the decision, apparently, because Craig Breslow already sold with Raffy and now can’t fully commit to helping out this team without more wins.
The Nationals are in last place in the NL East. They’re at 36-50, 14.5 games out of first, 10.0 games out of a Wild Card. This isn’t their year. But they’re not without a few stars. Shortstop CJ Abrams has an OPS of nearly .850 with 12 home runs and 18 steals. Left fielder James Wood is hitting .290/. 394/.561 with 23 homers and 12 steals. Both of those guys, plus starter Mackenzie Gore (not scheduled to pitch) were acquired in the Juan Soto trade. Bet the Padres wish they had that one back about now.
The Red Sox pitching staff should have the upper hand on Friday and Sunday with Giolito and Crochet pitching. Saturday will be Yet Another Walker Buehler Start™️ and who knows what will happen there.
Wilyer Abreu has been on fire the last two weeks slashing .304/.327/.609.
Roman Anthony, for those still panicking about his season line has hit .245/.355/.396 over the last two weeks and .346/.370/.500 the last week. Remember, he won’t even reach a month in the majors until the final game of the next series.
Probable Pitching Matchups
Friday July 4: Lucas Giolito (3.99 ERA / 4.04 FIP) vs. Michael Soroka (4.70 ERA / 4.34 FIP)
Saturday July 5: Walker Buehler (6.45 ERA / 6.03 FIP) vs. Mitchell Parker (4.63 ERA / 4.58 FIP)
Sunday July 6: Garrett Crochet (2.34 ERA / 2.55 FIP) vs. TBD (— ERA / — FIP)
When/Where to Watch
Friday July 4: 11:05 AM ET on NESN
Saturday July 5: 4:05 PM ET on NESN
Sunday July 6: 1:35 PM ET on NESN