Nationals vs – Willson Contreras drove in three runs with an emotional home run as the Red Sox carried momentum into a Nationals matchup at Fenway. Monday’s performance extended Boston’s streak of quality starts to a franchise-long mark since 1988, and the lineup faces RHP C
By the time the ball left Willson Contreras’ bat, it wasn’t just another swing in another game for the Red Sox.
Contreras followed up strikeout No. 2 with the moment everyone remembers—a three-run home run that had him visibly emotional afterward. His reaction carried extra weight because his native Venezuela is recovering from a major earthquake. He also endured a strange. immediate interruption: after a strikeout. Contreras tapped his helmet and was ejected in the second inning.
Boston’s edge going into the Nationals matchup felt just as real as the emotion. Ranger Suárez worked six innings for the Red Sox’s 12th straight quality start on Monday—Boston’s longest streak since a franchise-record streak in 1988. The Red Sox also scored at least four runs in seven consecutive games, turning good starts into something sharper.
The question now is simple: can that roll continue against Washington?
The Nationals, listed at 43-43, will send RHP Cade Cavalli to the mound (4-4, 4.00 ERA). Cavalli is searching for his first win since June 13. Even with the wait, the game has a clear pitching lens: Cavalli has allowed two or fewer runs in four of his last five road starts.
Washington’s lineup for the game is: Wood (DH), Chaparro (1B), Mead (3B), Abrams (SS), Crews (RF), Young (CF), Lile (LF), Nunez (2B), Ruiz (C).
Boston counters with LHP Connelly Early (7-5, 3.59 ERA). Early is coming off consecutive outings of six innings, allowing just three runs through that span. The 24-year-old lefthander has a 1-0 record and a 2.10 ERA in five career interleague starts.
Boston’s lineup reads: Seigler (2B), Rafaela (CF), Abreu (RF), Contreras (1B), Duran (LF), Gonzalez (DH), Durbin (3B), Narváez (C), Cheng (SS).
Cavalli has not faced any Boston batters, and Early has not faced any Washington batters—so the early story could turn quickly toward adjustments rather than familiarity.
Washington’s CJ Abrams, meanwhile, snapped a dry spell on Monday. He erased a 0-for-16 skid with a two-run double.
The broader storyline around Boston isn’t just what happens on the field. Washington has played much better on the road (26-18) than at home (17-25). and the Nationals’ first-year manager Blake Butera said he feels right at home in Boston. Butera is a Boston College graduate, and 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.”
There’s a rhythm forming for Boston: a steady stream of quality starts paired with consistent scoring. the kind of momentum that doesn’t just show up in one inning. Monday’s numbers—six innings from Suárez. 12 straight quality starts. and at least four runs in seven straight games—created a platform. The lineup then turns that platform into a test of whether this streak can survive a Nationals team that has been steadier away from home.
This game is scheduled for 7:10 p.m. TV and radio coverage will be on NESN and WEEI-FM 93.7.
Nationals Red Sox Game 84 Willson Contreras Ranger Suárez Cade Cavalli Connelly Early Blake Butera CJ Abrams NESN WEEI-FM 93.7