The Boston Red Sox and Washington Nationals kick off a three-game series in D.C. beginning on Tuesday night. The Red Sox find themselves in the thick of the American League wildcard chase as the team's roster returns to health. The Nationals are in the midst of a rebuild but are playing solid baseball in the month of August. The pitching matchup on Tuesday night will be Boston righty Nick Pivetta (8-6. 4.16) taking on Nats' righty Josiah Gray (7-9, 3.69). The first pitch is scheduled for 7:05 PM EST.
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The Red Sox continue to make a march toward a wildcard spot in the American League as they head to Washington D.C. to kick off the week. Boston took two of three from the Tigers over the weekend to finish their homestand at 5-2. It was an important homestand for the Red Sox as the team saw the return of two key former all-stars: shortstop Trever Story and starting pitcher Chris Sale. Sale retired the first 14 batters he faced on Friday night and had mid-90s velocity in his return from the 60-day IL. After starting slowly, Story finished the homestand on a high note with four hits, including three doubles, in the Red Sox 6-3 win on Sunday against the Tigers. In addition, the Boston bullpen got stronger with the return of Garrett Whitlock on Sunday. Whitlock through two scoreless innings in his own return from the IL.
Ending the homestand with a series W. pic.twit ter.com/kRDmei1DBp
— Red Sox (@RedSox) August 13, 2023
The Red Sox will give the ball to righty Nick Pivetta on Tuesday night. After spending a significant amount of time in the bullpen after struggling early this season, Pivetta is now back in the rotation and has been very sharp. Pivetta is 8-6 on the season in 28 appearances including 10 starts. He has allowed 76 hits in 97.1 innings pitched with an ERA of 4.16. Pivetta has a K/9 rate of 11.1 and his WHIP is 1.17. Pivetta is 2-0 in his last five appearances including two starts He has allowed 18 hits in 22.1 innings pitched this season while striking out 26 batters. On the road, he is 2-1 with a 3.61 ERA with 53 strikeouts in 42.1 innings pitched.