The Boston Red Sox wrap up the week at Fenway Park on Friday, September 25, 2026, hosting the Chicago Cubs in a 1:05 PM ET first pitch. Alec Gamboa takes the ball for Boston against right-hander Clay Holmes for Chicago. With the regular season winding down, every game carries weight in the standings picture, and a Friday afternoon crowd at Fenway will be looking for the Sox to come out swinging against a Cubs club making the trip into one of baseball's most storied venues.

Pitching Matchup: Alec Gamboa vs. Clay Holmes

Gamboa draws the Friday start for the Red Sox, getting the nod in what shapes up as a significant late-season assignment. The young arm will need to set the tone early and keep Chicago's lineup off balance through the middle innings if Boston wants to control this one from the jump.

On the other side, Holmes brings a power arm to Fenway. His ability to generate weak contact and induce ground balls can be a real problem for lineups that chase pitches down in the zone — something Boston's hitters will need to stay disciplined about from the first inning on.

Boston Red Sox Starting Lineup

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

Keys to Watch

Roman Anthony at the Top

Anthony leads off and gives Boston a dynamic presence at the plate to start the game. How he handles Holmes early in the count will set the tone for the entire offense. If Anthony gets on base consistently, the middle of this order has a chance to do real damage.

Rutschman in the Three Hole

Adley Rutschman slotting in as the DH at third in the order is a name worth circling. His ability to work counts and put the barrel on the ball makes him one of the most important at-bats in the lineup. A strong afternoon from Rutschman could be the difference in a close game.

Durbin and Sogard Holding the Middle

Caleb Durbin at third and Nick Sogard at second give Boston some versatility in the five and six spots. Their ability to make contact and move runners will matter if Holmes gets into a rhythm against the top of the order.

Gamboa's Command

Everything on the pitching side runs through how well Gamboa commands the strike zone. If he's hitting his spots and keeping Chicago hitters guessing, Boston's bullpen gets a chance to rest. If he's laboring early and the Cubs are making him work deep into counts, the Sox could be burning relievers before the sixth inning.

Prediction

This is a game Boston should be motivated to win at home with the Fenway faithful behind them on a Friday. The lineup has enough balance from top to bottom to give Holmes trouble, and if Gamboa delivers a quality start, the Red Sox take this one. Look for Boston to grab a 4-2 win in a competitive nine innings.

Catch the full game on NESN or listen on WEEI 93.7 FM. Spanish-language coverage is available on WCCM 1490 AM and WESX 1230 AM.