The Boston Red Sox host the Los Angeles Angels at Fenway Park on Wednesday, September 9, with first pitch set for 6:45 PM ET. Jake Bennett takes the mound for Boston against Angels right-hander Ryan Johnson in what figures to be a meaningful September regular season contest. With the calendar deep into the stretch run, every game at Fenway carries weight, and this one is no exception. Catch it on NESN locally or tune in on WEEI 93.7 FM if you're listening across New England.

Pitching Matchup: Jake Bennett vs. Ryan Johnson

Jake Bennett gets the ball for Boston. The left-hander is a young arm who has been part of the Red Sox rotation, and Wednesday night gives him a chance to deliver a quality start in front of the Fenway faithful. Detailed season numbers for Bennett are unavailable at this time, but the opportunity in a September home start speaks for itself — manager Alex Cora is putting the ball in his hands for a reason.

Opposing him is Ryan Johnson for the Angels. Like Bennett, Johnson's specific ERA and win-loss record are not in hand ahead of this preview, so it would be unfair to label either pitcher as a clear favorite based on numbers alone. What we can say is that September pitching matchups between two starters with something to prove tend to be competitive, and Fenway will make the environment anything but neutral.

Boston Red Sox Starting Lineup for Wednesday

• 1. Roman Anthony — DH
• 2. Mickey Gasper — C
• 3. Wilyer Abreu — RF
• 4. Trevor Story — SS
• 5. Nick Sogard — 1B
• 6. Caleb Durbin — 3B
• 7. Jarren Duran — LF
• 8. Isiah Kiner-Falefa — 2B
• 9. Nate Eaton — CF

Keys to Watch Wednesday Night

Roman Anthony Leading Off

The top of this lineup is worth watching closely. Roman Anthony draws the leadoff spot at DH, putting one of Boston's more intriguing young bats at the top of the order. Getting Anthony on base early sets the table for Mickey Gasper and Wilyer Abreu, who follow him in the two and three holes. If the Sox can generate early traffic, this lineup has enough depth to do damage.

Trevor Story Batting Fourth

Trevor Story slots in at cleanup and short, a significant vote of confidence. Story's place in the middle of this lineup gives Boston a genuine run-producing threat, and his presence at shortstop adds defensive stability up the middle alongside Kiner-Falefa at second.

Jarren Duran and the Bottom Third

Duran drops to seventh tonight, which means the bottom of this order — Duran, Kiner-Falefa, and Nate Eaton — needs to contribute. A lineup is only as dangerous as its ability to turn the order over, and these three have the athleticism to make things happen against Johnson.

Bennett's Command at Fenway

The Green Monster is always a factor. Bennett will need to keep the ball in the yard and command the strike zone against an Angels lineup that can take advantage of Fenway's short left field porch if he leaves pitches elevated. Limiting walks and getting ahead in counts will be the difference between a quality outing and a short night.

Prediction

Boston's lineup has the pieces to put up runs against a visitor in September at Fenway Park. This is a winnable game for the Red Sox, and if Bennett can give them five solid innings, the offense should take care of the rest. Red Sox 5, Angels 3.