The Boston Red Sox host the Athletics at Fenway Park this Sunday, August 9, with first pitch set for 1:35 PM ET. Oakland sends right-hander J.T. Ginn to the mound, while Boston has yet to announce a starter. Nick Sogard leads off for the Sox in a lineup that features Ceddanne Rafaela, Wilyer Abreu, and Willson Contreras in the heart of the order. The game airs locally on NESN and nationally on NBCSCA, with radio coverage on WEEI 93.7 FM.

Boston Red Sox vs. Athletics: Sunday, August 9 Game Preview

The Fenway faithful get a Sunday afternoon treat with this matinee matchup, and the Red Sox will need to piece together a competitive effort regardless of who gets the ball. The Sox starter remains unannounced, which is a storyline worth monitoring as game time approaches. Whoever gets the nod will face an Athletics lineup that has made enough noise this season to demand respect.

Athletics Probable Starter: J.T. Ginn

Oakland hands the ball to J.T. Ginn, the 25-year-old right-hander who has been a fixture in the Athletics rotation. No current ERA or win-loss record is available for this preview, but Ginn is a legitimate arm — a former second-round pick who relies on a strong fastball-slider combination to generate swings and misses. Boston's lineup will need to be disciplined early and make him work deep into counts to get into the bullpen.

Red Sox Starting Lineup and Keys to Watch

Manager Alex Cora has constructed a lineup with some interesting wrinkles. Here is how Boston lines up at Fenway:

• 1. Nick Sogard, 3B
• 2. Ceddanne Rafaela, CF
• 3. Wilyer Abreu, DH
• 4. Willson Contreras, 1B
• 5. Andruw Monasterio, SS
• 6. Anthony Seigler, 2B
• 7. Jarren Duran, LF
• 8. Eli White, RF
• 9. Jake Rogers, C

A few things jump out immediately. Willson Contreras is slotted at first base and batting cleanup — that is a significant responsibility and a sign of the confidence the organization has placed in him. Jarren Duran dropping to seventh is an eyebrow-raiser given his offensive profile, and his ability to create from the bottom third of the order could open things up for Sogard and Rafaela when the lineup turns over. Ceddanne Rafaela in the two-hole is a matchup-driven decision that gives Boston speed and contact near the top of the order.

Three Keys to the Game

• Identify the Sox starter: The unannounced pitcher is the biggest unknown heading into this one. A length start — six-plus innings — would preserve a bullpen that has been leaned on heavily. A short outing puts pressure on the entire staff.
• Duran's impact from the seven-hole: Jarren Duran is too dangerous a hitter to be quiet for long. Watch whether he can generate traffic late in innings and create chaos on the basepaths against Ginn.
• Contreras as the cleanup anchor: With Contreras at first and batting fourth, Boston needs him to punish mistakes in the middle of the game. Extra-base hits from that spot in the order can break a game open at Fenway.

Prediction

Fenway Park on a Sunday afternoon is one of the best settings in baseball, and this matchup has the feel of a competitive, low-to-mid scoring game. J.T. Ginn is capable of keeping Boston's lineup honest for several innings, but the Fenway dimensions and the Sox depth — particularly the middle of the order — give the home side an edge. Without knowing who is starting for Boston, there is genuine uncertainty here, but the edge goes to the Red Sox. Call it a 5-3 Sox win, with the bullpen closing the door late.