Game 84: Nationals at Red Sox lineups and preview
What a difference a week can make.
The Red Sox left Denver last Wednesday with a series loss to the league-worst Rockies. Since then, the Sox swept their archrival, the Yankees, in a four-game series and downed the Nationals in Monday’s series opener.
“Continuing to carry that from the momentum we just had is a really good sign,” Red Sox interim manager Chad Tracy said. “[The offense is] kind of flying under the radar [because of recent dominant starting pitching], but we’re finding a way to have really competitive at-bats … and play with a lead.”
Ranger Suarez worked six innings for the Red Sox’s 12th straight quality start on Monday, marking their longest since a franchise-record streak in 1988.
The Red Sox have also scored at least four runs in seven consecutive games.
“We are not where we want to be, but we are on a pretty good roll. This is something that we’ve wanted to feel during this season, and it’s finally come to us. We are hungry,” first baseman Willson Contreras said.
Contreras was emotional following his three-run home run because his native Venezuela is recovering from a major earthquake. He was ejected in the second inning for tapping his helmet after a strikeout.
Can Boston continue its winning streak? Here’s a preview.
Lineups
NATIONALS (43-43): TBA
Pitching: RHP Cade Cavalli (4-4, 4.00 ERA)
RED SOX (37-46): TBA
Pitching: LHP Connelly Early (7-5, 3.59 ERA)
Time: 7:10 p.m.
TV, radio: NESN, WEEI-FM 93.7
Nationals vs. Early: Has not faced any Washington batters
Red Sox vs. Cavalli: Has not faced any Boston batters
Stat of the day: Cavalli, who is searching for his first win since June 13, has allowed two or fewer runs in four of his last five road starts.
Notes: Early has consecutive outings of six innings, allowing just three runs through that span. The 24-year-old lefthander owns a 1-0 record and 2.10 ERA in five career interleague starts. … Washington has played much better on the road (26-18) than at home (17-25), but first-year manager Blake Butera feels right at home in Boston. Not only is Butera a Boston College grad, but his father, Barry, played in the Red Sox organization. “This is pretty awesome,” the 33-year-old Butera said. “It’s all a blur when you go to school here, and you’re 18-22 years old, and then realizing I hadn’t been back here in a while.” … CJ Abrams snapped a 0-for-16 skid with a two-run double on Monday.
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