Washington Nationals vs Boston Red Sox Prediction 8-16-23 MLB Picks

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16 August 2023

Washington Nationals vs Boston Red Sox Prediction 8-16-23 MLB Picks

The Boston Red Sox and Washington Nationals clash Wednesday in game 2 of an MLB series at Nationals Park. Let’s preview this game and give out a pick and prediction.

Boston Red Sox Betting Preview

The Red Sox look to stay hot after winning 5 of their last 6 games. The Red Sox are 3 games back in the AL wild card race. The Red Sox pitching staff is 18th in ERA (4.32), 19th in WHIP (1.31) and 26th in quality starts (33). The Red Sox offense is 8th in runs per game (4.84), 3rd in batting average (.262) and 19th in homers (132). Masataka Yoshida leads the Red Sox with 121 hits and 56 RBI, while Justin Turner and Rafael Devers have combined for 230 hits and 152 RBI. James Paxton gets the ball, and he is 7-3 with a 3.36 ERA and 90 strikeouts this season. This will be Paxton’s second career game against the Nationals.

Boston Red Sox Team Facts

The Red Sox have won 14 of their last 15 night games against NL East opponents that held a losing record.
The Red Sox have failed to cover the run line in each of their last seven games as favorites against National League opponents following a road win.
The Red Sox have won the first inning in each of their last five games against National League opponents that held a losing record.
The 'Inning 1 OVER 0.5 runs' market has hit in each of the Red Sox's last four games as road favorites.
The Red Sox have trailed after 3 innings in each of their last five games as road favorites.

Boston Red Sox Player Prop Facts

Triston Casas has hit a home run in three of the Red Sox's last four road games against NL opponents that held a losing record.
Triston Casas has recorded at least one RBI in each of the Red Sox's last five games against NL East opponents.
Rafael Devers has scored at least one run in seven of his last eight appearances against NL opponents that held a losing record.
James Paxton has recorded six or more strikeouts in eight of his nine previous appearances in night games against teams that held a losing record.
Triston Casas has recorded at least one hit in each of the Red Sox's last nine games against NL opponents that held a losing record.
Triston Casas has recorded two or more total bases in each of the Red Sox's last seven games against NL opponents that held a losing record.

Washington Nationals Betting Preview

The Nationals look to play spoiler after splitting their last 8 games. The Nationals have the second-worst record in the NL at 53-67. The Nationals pitching staff is 27th in ERA (4.88), 28th in WHIP (1.46) and 23rd in quality starts (35). The Nationals' offense is 19th in runs per game (4.34), 6th in batting average (.263) and 29th in homers (108). Lane Thomas leads the Nationals with 133 hits and 68 RBI, while Joey Meneses and Dominic Smith have combined for 235 hits and 94 RBI. MacKenzie Gore gets the ball, and he is 6-9 with a 4.62 ERA and 134 strikeouts this season. This will be Gore’s first career game against the Red Sox.

Washington Nationals Team Facts

The Nationals have lost each of their last 11 games against AL East opponents that held a winning record.
The Nationals have covered the run line eight of their last nine home games against teams that held a winning record.
The Nationals have led after 3 innings in four of their last six games as home underdogs.
The Nationals have led after 5 innings in six of their last nine games as home underdogs.
The Nationals have led after 7 innings in six of their last nine games as home underdogs.

Washington Nationals Player Prop Facts

Joey Meneses has hit at least one home run in three of the Nationals' last four games as underdogs against AL opponents.
Keibert Ruiz has recorded at least one RBI in each of the Nationals' last three night games.
Keibert Ruiz has recorded two or more total bases in seven of his last eight appearances against AL opponents.
Joey Meneses has scored at least one run in seven of the Nationals' last eight games as underdogs.
Dominic Smith has recorded at least one hit in each of the Nationals' last six night games against AL opponents that held a winning record.
CJ Abrams ranks T5th in the league in Steals (30) this season.

Matchup/League Facts

The Washington Nationals ranks 30th in the league for home runs allowed this season (177).
The Washington Nationals ranks 29th in the league for home runs this season (108).
The Boston Red Sox ranks 2nd in the league for doubles this season (259).
The Boston Red Sox ranks 4th in the league for batting average this season (.262).

Randy’s Pick

The Red Sox should be favored for obvious reasons, as they're the better team that's fighting for a playoff spot. James Paxton has also been better than MacKenzie Gore this season. However, Gore hasn't been bad, with his 4.62 ERA and 134 strikeouts in 117 innings. Gore also has a 3.91 ERA at home this season. The Nats also may not win a lot, but they're the second most profitable team in MLB over the last 180 days. Only the Orioles have earned bettors more money during that span. There's going to be value with the Nationals and plus money. I'll take a stab.