Nationals and Red Sox play to decide series winner

Updated Aug. 17, 2023 4:00 a.m. ET

Associated Press

Boston Red Sox (63-57, fourth in the AL East) vs. Washington Nationals (54-67, fifth in the NL East)

Washington; Thursday, 4:05 p.m. EDT

PITCHING PROBABLES: Red Sox: Chris Sale (5-2, 4.52 ERA, 1.12 WHIP, 78 strikeouts); Nationals: Patrick Corbin (7-11, 4.92 ERA, 1.50 WHIP, 91 strikeouts)

FANDUEL SPORTSBOOK MLB LINE: Red Sox -185, Nationals +156; over/under is 9 1/2 runs

BOTTOM LINE: Both the Washington Nationals and the Boston Red Sox are looking for a series win with a victory on Thursday.

Washington has a 26-35 record in home games and a 54-67 record overall. The Nationals are 39-11 in games when they scored at least five runs.

Boston has a 28-29 record on the road and a 63-57 record overall. The Red Sox are 50-7 in games when they scored at least five runs.

The teams match up Thursday for the third time this season.

TOP PERFORMERS: Keibert Ruiz has 17 doubles and 15 home runs for the Nationals. Joey Meneses is 11-for-39 with two doubles and two home runs over the past 10 games.

Masataka Yoshida has 26 doubles, three triples, 12 home runs and 56 RBI for the Red Sox. Triston Casas is 10-for-33 with three home runs over the past 10 games.

LAST 10 GAMES: Nationals: 6-4, .259 batting average, 4.66 ERA, even run differential

Red Sox: 6-4, .235 batting average, 4.75 ERA, outscored by 12 runs

INJURIES: Nationals: MacKenzie Gore: day-to-day (nail), Joan Adon: day-to-day (leg), Mason Thompson: 15-Day IL (knee), Rico Garcia: 15-Day IL (biceps), Victor Robles: 60-Day IL (back), Cade Cavalli: 60-Day IL (elbow), Thad Ward: 15-Day IL (shoulder), Carl Edwards Jr.: 15-Day IL (shoulder), Stephen Strasburg: 60-Day IL (ribs/shoulder), Tanner Rainey: 60-Day IL (elbow), Victor Arano: 60-Day IL (shoulder)

Red Sox: Masataka Yoshida: day-to-day (fatigue), Joely Rodriguez: 15-Day IL (hip), Kaleb Ort: 60-Day IL (elbow), Corey Kluber: 15-Day IL (shoulder), Tanner Houck: 15-Day IL (face), Zack Kelly: 60-Day IL (elbow), Wyatt Mills: 60-Day IL (elbow), Adalberto Mondesi: 60-Day IL (knee)

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The Associated Press created this story using technology provided by Data Skrive and data from Sportradar.