BOSTON RED SOX NOTES:
STATE OF THE SOX: The Red Sox have won 5 of their last 7 games…Are 11-9 in their last 20 games since 7/22. The Sox went 5-5 on their season-long 10-game homestand
from 8/4-13 (0-3 vs. TOR, 3-1 vs. KC, 2-1 vs. DET). Despite losing 8 of their 10 games from 7/29-8/8, the Sox own the AL’s 5th-best record since 6/14 (29-21). They’re 22-14 since 6/30, the 7th-best mark in MLB. At 62-56 (.525), Boston is tied with the Miami Marlins for MLB’s 12th-best record.
WHERE WE LEFT OFF: The Red Sox clinched the series over Detroit with a 6-3 win on Sunday. Trevor Story (4-for-4, 2 R, 3 2B, 2 SB) became the 2nd player in MLB this season to record to 3+ XBH and 2+ SB (Tatis Jr., 6/14 vs. CLE) and the 3rd Red Sox to do (see below). Garrett Whitlock (2.0 IP, 1 R, 0 ER, 3 SO) made his return from the IL and did not allow a hit over 2 innings. The Sox improved to 26-6 overall in their City Connect uniforms, including 11-2 in 2023.
RED SOX TO RECORD 3+ XBH AND 2+ SB IN A GAME
Player Stats Date
Dom DiMaggio 4-for-4, 3 2B, 2 SB 4/20/41
John Valentin 3-for-4, 2B, 3B, HR, 2 SB 6/13/95
Trevor Story 4-for-4, 3 2B, 2 SB 8/13/23
REDTURN2: Justin Turner played in his 1,500th career game on Sunday…He became the 18th active MLB player to reach that milestone (Most: Miguel Cabrera-2,768 GP).
He hit a solo HR in the 3rd inning to give the Red Sox a 2-1 lead…He has homered in back-to-back games for the 3rd time this season (also: 6/30-7/1 and 5/16-17).
SERIES BUSINESS: With the win Sunday, Boston is 21- 15-2 in series play…They didn’t win their 21st series last season until 9/27-29 vs. BAL, finishing 22-24-6. They improved to 13-7-0 in home series, surpassing their win total from 2022 (12-10-4). They are 8-4-0 in their last 12 series, beginning 6/30.
NL FEAST OR FAMINE: The Sox are 7-6 this year vs. the NL East (3-1 vs. ATL, 0-3 vs. MIA, 2-1 vs. NYM and 2-1 vs. PHI). The Sox are 3-1-1 in series play vs. the
division.
SOX & NATS: The Red Sox have won each of their last 5 games vs. WSH, including 8 of 9 since 7/2/18. The Sox are 8-1 all time at Nationals Park. The last time the Red Sox played in Washington was from 10/1-3/21, where a 3-game sweep clinched the Sox a postseason berth. The Sox are 4-0 in their last 4 series vs. WSH since 4/13/15 at Fenway Park.
NATIONAL AFFAIRS: The Red Sox are an MLB-best 306- 217 (.581) all-time in Interleague play…They’re the only team with 300+ Interleague wins (2nd: NYY-298). The Sox are 18-22 in games vs. NL clubs this season (12-8 road, 6-14 home).
BACK TO THE GRIND: Today, the Red Sox will begin a 10-game road trip to WSH (3 games), NYY (3 games), and HOU (4 games)…It is their longest trip of the year by games. Boston is in a stretch of 32 games in 34 days, from 7/28-8/30…Yesterday was their only scheduled day off in a 27-day span from 8/4-30. Starting today, the Sox are scheduled to play a game on 16 consecutive days from 8/15-30, their 2ndlongest stretch of the season (19 games, 4/8-26).
IT’S GO TIME: Boston is 5-2 so far in a stretch of 10 games against sub-.500 teams (3-1 vs. KC, 2-1 vs. DET, 3 at WSH). Those 3 teams are a combined 145-212 (.406).
Prior to this stretch, the Sox went 4-7 in a stretch of 11 games against teams with a winning record (2-0 vs. ATL, 1-2 at SF, 1-2 at SEA, 0-3 vs. TOR).
SLUGGING SOX: The Red Sox rank 2nd in MLB in doubles (258)…They rank 2nd in the AL in AVG (.262) and XBH (405), and 4th in OBP (.328), SLG (.432), and OPS (.760).
In their last 36 games since 6/30, Boston leads the AL in AVG (.270), ranks 2nd in SLG (.461) and 3rd in OPS (.786).
HIGH FIVE: BOS is an MLB-best 49-7 (.875) when scoring 5+ runs…They’ve done so in just 3 of their last 11 games. Since 6/14, they’ve won 22 of their last 23 games when scoring 5+ runs, including each of their last 8 since 7/22.
LOCK IT DOWN: The Red Sox own MLB’s best record when leading after 6 innings (49-3, .942)…In 2022, they ranked 18th in MLB when leading after 6 (63-10, .863). Boston leads MLB in save % (77.7; 35-for-45).
PITCHING IN: The Red Sox have allowed 3 runs or fewer in 5 of their last 7 games (2, 9, 3, 0, 2, 6, 3), posting a 3.43 ERA. In that span, Sox starters are 2-2 with a 3.67 ERA (14 ER/34.1 IP), while relievers are 3-0 with 7 holds, 4 saves, and a 3.14 ERA (10 ER/28.2 IP).
THE CLOSING ACT: Since 7/1, Kenley Jansen is tied for the AL lead with 11 saves…Overall, he ranks T-4th in the AL with 27. Jansen has converted each of his last 18 save opportunities since 5/20, tied for the longest active streak of successful save chances (TOR’s Jordan Romano).
MARTY PARTY: Since 6/9, Chris Martin has allowed only 1 run over his last 24 outings (21.2 IP)…He leads MLB with a 0.42 ERA in that span (min. 20.0 IP). Overall, his 1.37 ERA (6 ER/39.1 IP) is 5th best in the majors (min. 30.0 IP)…His 0.42 home ERA (1 ER/21.1 IP) is tied for the MLB lead with (Josh Hader; min. 20.0 IP).
ON THE MEND: Tanner Houck is on a rehab assignment with Triple-A Worcester…He tossed 3.0 scoreless innings in Game 1 of Friday’s doubleheader vs. BUF (H, 3 SO, 34 pitches) and also started 8/5 at SYR (1.2 IP, 3 H, 2 R, 3 BB, 3 SO, 46 pitches). Houck is scheduled to start tomorrow vs. Scranton/Wilkes-Barre.
TONIGHT’S STARTER: 37 NICK PIVETTA – RHP
W-L ERA G GS IP ER HR BB SO WHIP AVG
2023 8-6 4.16 28 10 97.1 45 17 38 120 1.17 .210
CAREER 48-56 4.92 186 146 838.1 458 141 329 904 1.37 .254
Is starting in back-to-back outings for the 1st time since 5/3 vs. TOR and 5/9 at ATL. Earned the win Wednesday vs. KC (5.0 IP, 2 R, 4 H, 8 SO, 2 BB, 2 HR). In 18 outings since 5/28 (2 starts), has a 2.42 ERA, 0.90 WHIP, and .155 opponent AVG (52.0 IP, 14 ER, 72 SO, 19 BB). In 17 relief outings this season, has a 2.40 ERA, 0.91 WHIP, and .152 opponent AVG (45.0 IP, 15 R/12 ER, 24 H, 17 BB, 60 SO). Among the 114 pitchers with 50.0+ IP since 5/28, Pivetta ranks 1st in WHIP and opponent AVG, 3rd in ERA, and 3rd in strikeout rate (35.8%). In his last 6 outings, has struck out 47 batters and walked only 8.
WASHINGTON NATIONALS NOTES:
OPPONENT – BOSTON RED SOX
The Nationals and Red Sox will face off three times in 2023…Mike Rizzo worked seven seasons (1992- 98) as a scout for the Red Sox…Tim Bogar spent four seasons (2009-12) on the Major League coaching staff of the Red Sox: first base coach (2009), third base coach (2010-11), and bench coach (2012)…Nationals third base coach Gary DiSarcina is from Malden, Mass. and attended the University of Massachusetts-Amherst…Michael Chavis was drafted by Boston in the first round in 2014 and played for the Red Sox from 2019-2021…Jeter Downs made his Major League debut with the Red Sox in 2022…Joey Meneses played in Double and Triple-A for the Red Sox in 2021…Jordan Weems was drafted by the Red Sox in the third round of the 2011 draft…Red Sox pitcher Nick Pivetta was drafted in the fourth round of the 2013 Draft by the Nationals.
WALK. IT. OFF. AGAIN.
The Washington Nationals beat the Oakland Athletics, 8-7, in walkoff fashion on Sunday afternoon…Trailing 7-2 heading into the bottom of the ninth inning, the Nationals plated six runs with the rally capped by a Jeter Downs RBI-single.
- Joey Meneses (3-for-4, 2B, 2 R), Keibert Ruiz (3-for-5, R) and Stone Garrett (2-for-4, 2B, 3 RBI, R) led the offense.
STATUS CHECK
The Nationals enter this series having won eight of 11, 10 of 15, 15 of 23 and are 25-19 (.568) since June 24.
- Since July 8, Washington is 19-12 (.613), the third-best record in the National League behind only the Los Angeles Dodgers (21-8, .724) and Chicago Cubs (20-11, 645).
- Including Sunday’s walk-off win, the Nationals have won 12 of their last 14 home games dating to July 8 vs. Texas.
ROSTER MOVE
The Nationals reinstated right-handed pitcher Hunter Harvey from the 15-day Injured List and optioned left-handed pitcher Joe La Sorsa to Triple-A Rochester.
- Harvey posted a 0.93 ERA (1 ER/9.2 IP), a .152 opponents’ average (5-for-33) and was six-for-six in save opportunities in 10 outings prior to the injury.
BACKSTOP BAT
Keibert Ruiz leads Major League catchers in average (.347), on-base percentage (.409) and slugging percentage (.561) and is second in hits (34) since July 9…He’s recorded six doubles, five homers, 13 RBI, 11 walks, one stolen base and 14 runs scored in 27 games over this stretch.
- Ruiz is 8-for-17 (.471) with two homers – including a walk-off homer – two RBI, two walks and five runs scored over his last four games.
WHAT A RELIEF
The Nationals have the best bullpen ERA in the NL (2nd in MLB) since July 21 at 2.72 (24 ER/79.1 IP)…Nationals relievers have posted a .214 opponents’ average over this stretch.
- Since Aug. 2, the group has pitched to a 2.20 ERA (10 ER/41.0 IP) with 9.9 strikeouts per 9.0 innings and a .178 opponents’ batting average.
OK, KYLE
Kyle Finnegan has seven saves, five holds and has pitched to a 0.68 ERA (2 ER/26.1 IP) with a .141 opponents’ average (12-for-85, 2B, HR) in his last 24 appearances…He’s tossed 12.2 consecutive scoreless innings
since July 14, the second-longest streak by a Nationals pitcher this season.
- He’s set a new career-high and is eighth in the NL with 18 saves this season.
- Finnegan surrendered seven earned runs and three home runs in his first three outings…Since the next outing on April 7 at Colorado, he has pitched to a 1.48 ERA (8 ER/48.2 IP) with 51 strikeouts and three home runs allowed in 46 games.
BORN TO RUN
CJ Abrams is tied for third in the National League with 29 stolen bases…He stole 25 consecutive bases without being caught from May 5 to Aug. 10, the longest streak in Nationals history (2005- pres.) according to the Elias Sports Bureau…It was the longest active streak in MLB at the time.
- Since being moved to the leadoff spot on July 7, Abrams is hitting .300 with six doubles, a triple, four homers, 10 RBI, eight walks, four hit by pitch, 18 stolen bases and 23 runs scored.
NEXT ON 20-20: LANE THOMAS
With five more stolen bases, Lane Thomas would record the sixth 20 home run – 20 stolen base season in Nationals History (2005-pres.) and the first since 2016.
- Thomas ranks in the National League in hits (T4th, 133), doubles (T5th, 29), total bases (7th, 226) and runs (8th, 80)..He leads the National League (T1st in MLB) with a career-high 11 outfield assists.
STARTING PITCHER – #40 JOSIAH GRAY
Right-hander was acquired by the Nationals from the Los Angeles Dodgers at the 2021 Trade Deadline…Was Los Angeles’ No. 2 prospect entering 2021 and its Minor League Pitcher of the Year in 2019…Was originally selected by Cincinnati in the second round (No. 72 overall) of the 2019 First-Year Player Draft out of Le Moyne
College in Syracuse, New York…Was acquired by the Dodgers on his 21st birthday, Dec. 21, 2018…Is the Player Ambassador to the Washington Nationals Youth Baseball Academy…Named to his first All-Star team in 2023.
LAST START
Allowed four earned runs on six hits, walked two and struck out five in 4.2 innings on August 8 against Philadelphia at Citizens Bank Park…He did not factor in Washington’s 5-4 victory.
vs. BOSTON
Faced the Red Sox once in his career on October 2, 2021…He allowed one earned run on three hits, walked two and struck out seven in 6.0 innings of work…He took a no decision in the Nationals’ 5-3 defeat.
RANKS
Gray ranks 11th in the National League with a 3.69 ERA…He paces the Nationals staff in opponents’ batting average (.254), opponents’ slugging percentage (.407), opponents’ OPS (.749) and home runs allowed per 9.0 innings (1.14).
ROAD GRAY
Gray ranks fourth in Major League Baseball with a 2.82 ERA on the road this season…He’s allowed three earned runs or less in 11 of his 14 road starts.
ALL-STAR
Gray was selected to the National League All-Star team last month…He tossed a scoreless third inning in his first All-Star Game on July 10…He got Josh Jung out on a fly ball, struck out Jonah Heim and induced a ground ball by Marcus Semien.
KEEPING THE BALL IN THE YARD
Gray has allowed 1.14 home runs per 9.0 innings (16 HR/126.2 IP)…He allowed back-to-back home runs to lead off the game on April 1 vs. Atlanta (Acuña Jr./ Olson) and beginning with the next batter, has allowed just 14 additional home runs in the next 126.2 innings entering play tonight…This improvement comes after he led Major League Baseball with 38 home runs and 2.30 home runs per 9.0 innings last season.
