The Red Sox (57-29), having survived a date with Max Scherzer, face down a Nationals (42-41) team that must be happy to be done with Rick Porcello this fine afternoon in Washington, D.C. (6:05 p.m., NESN, MLBN out-of-market).

About today’s game: Brian Johnson (1-2, 4.28 ERA) takes another turn in the rotation after a capable outing last time out. He’ll be matched by Tanner Roark (3-9, 4.10 ERA), who looks like he belongs north of the wall. J.D. Martinez is back in the Boston lineup, ultimately in place of Jackie Bradley Jr., while on the Nationals’s side, Adam Eaton sits in favor of Michael A. Taylor.

About last night’s game: Down goes Scherzer! Down goes Scherzer! Porcello hit a three-run double (?!?!?!?!!) off his good friend Max to provide the Sox with most of their offense in a 4-3 win, one in which he also pitched well. Joe Kelly did not, but Craig Kimbrel cleaned up his mess. Read Matt’s recap here.

Forecast: A mere 92 degrees. Thank God the heat wave’s over.

Today’s reading: I wrote something extremely stupid.

A good tweet from yesterday, and yes, turn the sound on:

LINEUPS