The Boston Red Sox return to Fenway Park on Tuesday, September 8 for a 6:45 PM ET regular-season matchup against the Los Angeles Angels. Patrick Sandoval takes the mound for Boston against Angels left-hander Reid Detmers in what shapes up as an intriguing pitching duel. With September baseball in full swing, every game at Fenway carries weight — and tonight the Sox will lean on a lineup that blends youthful energy with experience to get the job done against an Angels club making the trip east.

Starting Pitchers: Patrick Sandoval vs. Reid Detmers

Patrick Sandoval draws the start for Boston. A left-hander who generates soft contact and works both sides of the plate, Sandoval will need to establish his command early against an Angels lineup that can be patient in long counts. His ability to keep the ball in the yard and generate grounders will be critical at Fenway, where the Green Monster can punish any mistake left up and over the middle of the zone.

On the other side, Reid Detmers toes the rubber for Los Angeles. A fellow left-hander with a sharp breaking ball, Detmers presents a real test for a Boston lineup that carries several left-handed bats. How the Sox attack Detmers early — and whether they can work deep into counts to tax the Angels bullpen — will go a long way toward deciding this one.

Boston Red Sox Starting Lineup

• 1. Roman Anthony, LF
• 2. Jahmai Jones, DH
• 3. Wilyer Abreu, RF
• 4. Trevor Story, SS
• 5. Nick Sogard, 1B
• 6. Caleb Durbin, 3B
• 7. Andruw Monasterio, 2B
• 8. Eli White, CF
• 9. Connor Wong, C

Keys to Watch

Roman Anthony Sets the Table

The young outfielder leads off and remains one of the more compelling at-bats in the Boston lineup. His ability to get on base against a crafty left-hander like Detmers sets the tone for the entire order. If Anthony can work a walk or find a gap early, it puts immediate pressure on the Angels.

Trevor Story's Impact in the Middle of the Order

Story slots in at cleanup and represents the power threat Boston needs to cash in on early baserunners. Against a left-handed starter, Story's bat will be tested — but a healthy Story with runners on is exactly the kind of situation the Sox are hoping to manufacture.

Sandoval's Command on the Inner Half

Sandoval's effectiveness tends to hinge on his ability to work in and off the plate with purpose. If he's locating his fastball and mixing in his offspeed pitches for strikes, he can keep an Angels lineup off-balance and give Boston a quality start. Any tendency to leave pitches out over the plate invites trouble.

Bullpen Management

Late September games have a way of turning on the back end of the bullpen. Whatever happens in the first five or six innings, Alex Cora's decisions in the seventh inning and beyond will matter.

Prediction

This is a winnable game for Boston at home. Two left-handers squaring off means the game could stay relatively low-scoring, but the Red Sox lineup has the depth to get to Detmers by the middle innings. Give the edge to Boston, 4-2, with Sandoval delivering six solid innings and the Fenway faithful going home satisfied on a Tuesday night in September. Catch the action on NESN or WEEI 93.7.