MLB Game Preview: Boston Red Sox (43-45) vs. Washington Nationals (37-50)

Matchup: Boston Red Sox (43–45) vs. Washington Nationals (37–50)
Date: Friday, July 4, 2025
Time: 11:05 AM ET
Venue: Nationals Park, Washington, D.C.
Watch: FuboTV, MLB.tv

Game Overview

The Boston Red Sox and Washington Nationals square off in a Fourth of July interleague clash that pits two right-handers—Lucas Giolito and Michael Soroka—against each other in a matchup of contrasting styles and momentum.

Boston enters the game as slight road favorites despite a 3–7 skid in their last 10 games. Washington, meanwhile, has won five of their last 10 and boasts one of the hottest hitters in baseball in James Wood.

Starting Pitching Matchup

Lucas Giolito (BOS)

• Record: 4–1
• ERA: 3.99
• WHIP: 1.33
• Strikeouts: 51 in 58.2 IP
• Last Start: 7 IP, 0 ER vs. Blue Jays

Giolito has been steady, if unspectacular, relying on a four-seam/changeup mix to induce weak contact. He’s held opponents to zero earned runs in four of his 11 starts and enters with a four-game quality start streak.

Michael Soroka (WSH)

• Record: 3–5
• ERA: 4.70
• WHIP: 1.03
• Strikeouts: 64 in 59.1 IP
• Last Start: 6 IP, 1 ER vs. Angels

Soroka’s elite command and ground-ball profile make him a tough matchup for Boston’s lefty-heavy lineup. He’s due for positive regression and ranks in the 82nd percentile in xERA and barrel rate.

Key Hitters to Watch

Red Sox

• Wilyer Abreu: .261 AVG, 17 HR, 48 RBI, .835 OPS
  • Homered twice earlier this week and has hits in 5 of his last 6 games.
• Jarren Duran: 21 doubles, 9 triples, 6 HR
• A dynamic leadoff threat with elite speed and gap power.

Nationals

• James Wood: .294 AVG, 23 HR, 67 RBI, .958 OPS
  • Coming off a 5-hit game vs. Detroit and riding a 6-game hitting streak.
• CJ Abrams: 15-for-45 over last 10 games with 3 doubles and a homer

Team Stats & Trends

Stat Category	Red Sox	Nationals
Team Batting Avg	.251 (12th in MLB)	.245 (17th)
Slugging %	.422 (6th)	.391 (18th)
Runs Scored	421 (6th)	377 (14th)
Home Runs	107 (10th)	85 (21st)
Bullpen ERA	4.32 (22nd)	4.18 (19th)
Last 10 Games	3–7	5–5

Boston’s offense has more firepower, and Giolito’s recent form gives them a slight edge. However, Soroka’s ability to limit hard contact could keep this close into the late innings.

Betting Trends

• Red Sox are 26–11 when scoring 5+ runs
• Nationals have won 4 of the last 6 head-to-head matchups
• The Over has hit in 41 of Boston’s 87 games
• Soroka has held opponents to a .210 batting average this season