It’s been almost four full years that I’ve been an Over The Monster staff writer, and true story: I’ve never written a pre-game thread. That is, until Bryan Joiner called to the bullpen late, and I “accepted the trade for a player to be named later” or “cash considerations.” Two different metaphors, I know. But, starting one metaphor after another may be something of a symbolic gesture with these Red Sox. But, to quote some Bostonians, “I never had to knock on wood, but I know someone who has.” That’s
to say, this team isn’t good. I don’t subscribe to the “we’re four and a half games out of the wild card spot” or the success of this weekend being any sort of start to a rally catapulting this team into contending conversations. But I wouldn’t blame anyone who gets a bit hopeful after watching the last four games. Unless this series goes well.
Fortunately, they’ll have a guy who’s found his stride on the mound. Ranger Suarez (3-3, 2.83) . He has not had a decision win at home yet this season. He took a no-hit bid into the seventh in Seattle, and had a little more turbulent outing in hitter-friendly Colorado but still emerged from six innings having given up just three runs, and only one of those earned (sadly, the Sox would implode that game). His ERA in 4 starts (24.0 IP) in June is 1.50.
As Mike Carlucci diplomatically put it in this series’ preview article, the Nationals also suck are having their own challenges keeping things balanced this year, having inverse problems that the Red Sox face. Their offense is awesome, the biggest of those worries being Luis Garcia, the reigning NL Player of the week who’s hit six home runs in as many games, including two just yesterday in Baltimore. They rank at the very top of the league in runs scored and are tied for fourth in home runs, which would usually find you at the top of many standings, unless your pitching is horrible having some trouble keeping runs off the board, to the tune of being the third-worst in baseball. Miles Nikolas (2-6, 5.24 ERA) is tonight’s starter for Washington. At one time he was a very serviceable pitcher. At 37, those days may be behind him, as he’s experienced some stark declines in the ability to strike guys out as well as to generate swings and misses in general, ranking in the lowest three percentile via Baseball Savant this season.
See you back here after.
