In this article we will formulate a Red Sox vs Nationals prediction for this MLB game on Saturday, July 5th at Nationals Park in Washington, DC. Let’s take a look at the prediction for this MLB matchup. 

Boston Red Sox Betting Preview
The Boston Red Sox are 44-45 this year after they won game one in this series by a score of 11-2 on Friday afternoon. Boston scored the first nine runs in the game and they were able to cruise to the easy win. The Red Sox recorded 16 hits in the game and they were led by Story, who went 4-5 with one home run and four RBIs in the win. Boston started Giolito, who allowed four hits and one earned run over 7.2 innings for the win, while Whitlock allowed one earned run in relief. 

Prior to this series, the Red Sox won two out of three against the Reds, but lost two out of three against the Blue Jays before that. Boston has won three of their last four games and they are currently fourth in the AL East standings. The Boston pitching staff has a 3.98 ERA with a 1.32 WHIP and a .248 opponent batting average, while their offense has scored 432 runs with a .253 batting average and a .325 on base percentage this season. Wilyer Abreu has led Boston with 17 home runs and 49 RBIs, while Trevor Story has added 13 home runs and 51 RBIs this year. The projected starting pitcher for Boston is Walker Buehler, who is 5-6 with a 6.45 ERA and a 1.58 WHIP over 67.0 innings pitched this year. 

Washington Nationals Betting Preview
The Washington Nationals are 37-51 this season after they lost game one on Friday. Washington didn’t score until the sixth inning and they never had a chance in the blowout loss. The Nationals recorded six hits in the game and they were led by Lile and Garcia Jr., who both had one RBI in the loss. Washington started Soroka, who allowed nine hits and seven earned runs over 4.0 innings for the loss, while Loutos and Brzykcy both allowed two earned runs in relief. 

Prior to this series, the Nationals won two out of three against the Tigers and two out of three against the Angels. Washington has won three of their last five games and they are currently last in the NL East standings. The Washington pitching staff has a 5.16 ERA with a 1.40 WHIP and a .263 opponent batting average, while the offense has scored 390 runs with a .246 batting average and a .313 on base percentage this season. James Wood has led Washington with 23 home runs and 67 RBIs, while Nathaniel Lowe has added 13 home runs and 58 RBIs this year. The projected starting pitcher for Washington is Mitchell Parker, who is 5-8 with a 4.63 ERA and a 1.35 WHIP over 91.1 innings pitched this season.

Why the Nationals will beat the Red Sox
The Nationals have won each of their last seven games as favorites against American League opponents following a loss.
The Red Sox have lost six of their last seven road games after playing the previous day.
The Nationals have covered the run line in each of their last six games against AL East opponents following a home loss.
The Red Sox have failed to cover the run line in each of their last four games as underdogs against NL East opponents following a road win.
The Nationals have led after 3 innings in three of their last four games at Nationals Park against AL East opponents that held a losing record.

Why the Red Sox will beat the Nationals
The Nationals have lost seven of their last eight games as favorites after playing the previous day.
The Red Sox have won three of their last four games as underdogs against NL East opponents.
The Nationals have failed to cover the run line each of their last 10 home games against teams that held a losing record.
The Red Sox have covered the run line in four of their last five road games against National League opponents.
The Nationals have trailed after 3 innings in each of their last four day games.
The Red Sox have led after 5 innings in six of their last seven road games against NL East opponents that held a losing record.

Total Runs Facts
Each of the Nationals’ last seven games against American League opponents have gone OVER the total runs line.
Six of the Red Sox’s last seven games against NL East opponents have gone UNDER the total runs line.
The ‘Inning 1 UNDER 0.5 runs’ market has hit in each of the last six day games between the Red Sox and Nationals.
The ‘Inning 1 OVER 0.5 runs’ market has hit in each of the Red Sox’s last five games as underdogs.

Washington Nationals Player Prop Facts
Josh Bell has hit a home run in three of his last six home appearances against AL East opponents.
Josh Bell has recorded at least one hit in each of his last seven appearances with his team as a home favorite against AL East opponents.

Boston Red Sox Player Prop Facts
Walker Buehler has recorded four or more strikeouts in each of his last 14 Saturday appearances against teams that held a losing record.
Triston Casas has recorded at least one hit in each of his last seven appearances against NL East opponents that held a losing record.
Alex Bregman has hit a home run in each of his last two road appearances.
Ceddanne Rafaela has recorded at least one Double in four of the Red Sox’s last five games.

Red Sox vs Nationals Prediction 
Boston was able to start this series with a blowout win on Friday afternoon and they have won three of their last four games. The Red Sox are 19-25 on the road this year, while the Nationals are 18-26 at home. Washington is starting Parker, who has allowed 3, 3, 1, and 6 earned runs in his last four starts. Boston is going with Buehler, who has allowed 4, 5, and 8 earned runs in his last three outings. I don’t like how either starter has looked recently and I think we will see plenty of scoring. Take the over here. 

David Racey's Pick: Over 9.5