The Red Sox are 44-45 compared to the Nationals' 37-51 record. Boston is swinging hot bats averaging 8.5 runs in winning four of its last six games. Washington is allowing an average of 7.7 runs in its last seven games.

Yet the Nationals are slight favorites here mainly because Walker Buehler is starting for Boston.

Buehler has yet to overcome past serious arm injuries. He's struggling again this season with a 6.45 ERA. However, Nationals starter, lefty Mitchell Parker, isn't exactly Sandy Koufax. Parker has a 4.63 ERA and 1.35 WHIP. Parker has allowed 13 earned runs in his past four starts spanning 20 1/3 innings.

The Red Sox are No. 2 in the majors in batting average against southpaws at .269. They also rank fourth in OPS and fifth in slugging percentage versus lefties.

Boston's bullpen also is considerably superior to the Nationals' relievers. The Red Sox rank eighth in bullpen ERA at 3.62 while Washington is last in bullpen ERA at a scary 5.91.

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