Red Sox vs Nationals Odds, Picks, and Probable Pitchers (Oct. 3)

• The Red Sox and Nationals meet in the final game of the season on Sunday
• Boston won Saturday’s contest 5-3
• Find the odds, preview, and prediction, below

Following a crucial win on Saturday, the Boston Red Sox (91-70, 42-38 away) will be looking to take the series finale against the Washington Nationals (65-96, 35-45 home) on Sunday.

The first pitch is scheduled for 3:05 PM ET. Chris Sale takes the mound in the final game of the season, while the Nats hand Joan Adon the ball for his MLB debut.

Red Sox vs Nationals Odds

Odds as of October 3rd at DraftKings.

Boston broke it wide open in game two of this matchup, scoring four runs in the top of the ninth in a 5-3 victory. Christian Vazquez laced a go-ahead triple before Kike Hernandez clubbed a two-run homer.

Probable Pitchers

Chris Sale has been tremendous for the Red Sox since returning from the IL on August 14th. There was a short stint where he missed time due to COVID-19, but other than that, he has been very reliable. In eight starts, the veteran lefty boasts a 2.90 ERA in 40.1 innings of work while going 5-1. In the process, Sale has struck out 45 batters and walked just nine.

Last time out, he gave up three earned runs to the Orioles across 5.1 frames and took the loss. Prior to that outing, Sale held the Mets to two runs in five innings.

Chris Sale is all of us right now. #RedSox | #DirtyWater| #MLB pic.twitter.com/lX5fIi3kab

— Tyler Milliken ⚾️ (@tylermilliken_) September 29, 2021

He hasn’t faced the Nationals this season considering they’re in the NL and he’s only pitched against them twice in his career, logging three innings of scoreless baseball. In one of the biggest games of the year for the Red Sox as they look to solidify their spot in the postseason, Boston needs another great start from their ace here.

Sale vs Adon

*Adon’s stats are from this season across three Minor League levels*

Adon hasn’t exactly lit up the minors this year, posting a 4.97 ERA in 105 innings combined between High-A, Double-A, and Triple-A. In fact, he spent most of his time with the  A+ Wilmington Blue Rocks before short stints in AA and AAA.

He’s currently the Nationals’ 22nd-best prospect and possesses a mid 90s fastball while showing promise with a respectable changeup. He will be tasked with a Red Sox lineup that swings it very well.

Batting Average vs Starting Pitchers

Boston’s offense was very quiet on Saturday until they suddenly came alive in the top of the ninth with a four-spot. Hernandez’s bomb capped it off, putting them in a prime position in the Wild Card race. Tanner Houck also threw a gem, going five innings while giving up zero runs and racking up 8 K’s. The Red Sox are now tied with the Yankees for the top spot at 91-71 heading into Sunday’s contest. If they can pull out another victory, Boston would host the WC game.

KIKÉ ALL THE WAY pic.twitter.com/qz5KPXwZxF

— Red Sox (@RedSox) October 2, 2021

The Nationals put a respectable fight in Saturday’s game as the Red Sox’ bullpen collapsed in the eighth. Juan Soto hit a sacrifice fly to deep center field to tie the game at one before Boston erupted in the ninth. Andrew Stevenson got a couple of runs back in the bottom of the inning with a two-run bomb off Austin Davis before Hansel Robles came in and secured the save. At this point, Washington will just be looking to play spoiler on Sunday and finish the season on a high note.

Red Sox vs Nationals Prediction

With a rookie on the mound here who hasn’t even been successful in the minors, I expect Boston to put runs on the board early. The Nats bullpen hasn’t fared much better, either. Sale also comes through when it matters most and you’ll see a phenomenal start out of him. Take Boston to cover the runline.

Pick: Boston Red Sox -1.5 (-130)