The Boston Red Sox finally get to play a home game today when they host the Washington Nationals in Major League Baseball action. The game is scheduled for a 3:05 p.m. start time and it will be televised live on MLB.tv from Boston. Currently the betting odds for the game have the Red Sox listed as a small favorite to pick up the win over the visiting Nats.
Boston did pretty well for itself last week, winning four of their six games to open the season. One thing that can't be fun for them, at least today, is having to play last night on Sunday Night Baseball and then turn around to play this game in the afternoon. While the trip from New York to Boston isn't all that bad, the turnaround does seem quick.
Getting the ball for the Red Sox is Rick Porcello, the youngster acquired from Detroit in the off-season. Porcello seems to be a big favorite among the Red Sox brass as he was given an $80-million extension before ever throwing a pitch. Ricky lost his first start to the season against Philly, tossing six innings and allowing three earned runs while scattering six hits. Boston gave him zero run support in that one, however, scoring their only two runs in the eighth inning in a 4-2 defeat.
Current Nationals own a .298 average against Porcello in 57 at bats. Denard Span has the most history against Porcello in his career, collecting 11 hits in 29 at bats (.379). Porcello is a ground-ball guy, getting 14 outs against Philadelphia on the ground.
Washington is giving the ball to Jordan Zimmerman. He picked up a victory in his first start of the season over the New York Mets last week, tossing six innings and allowing just a single earned run on five hits. He will need to pitch well today to help get the Nationals out of their early-season problems.
The Nats won just twice last week, but they do get Jayson Werth back from injury. He should help a lineup that only scored 13 runs in six games, but it'll be tough to beat Boston inside Fenway Park in their home opener.
Free Pick: Red Sox
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