The Boston Red Sox welcome the Chicago Cubs to Fenway Park on Sunday, September 27, 2026, with first pitch scheduled for 3:05 PM ET. Both clubs will send TBD starters to the mound as the regular season approaches its final days. The game airs locally on NESN and 104.3 The Score, with Cubs fans able to catch the action on Marquee Sports Network. With rosters on both sides carrying recognizable names, this late-September clash carries real lineup intrigue even without confirmed pitching matchups.

Boston Red Sox vs. Chicago Cubs Starting Lineups for September 27, 2026

Red Sox Lineup

• 1. Roman Anthony, LF
• 2. Adley Rutschman, C
• 3. Willson Contreras, DH
• 4. Wilyer Abreu, RF
• 5. Ceddanne Rafaela, CF
• 6. Nick Sogard, 2B
• 7. Caleb Durbin, 3B
• 8. Trevor Story, SS
• 9. Andruw Monasterio, 1B

Cubs Lineup

• 1. Pete Crow-Armstrong, CF
• 2. Alex Bregman, DH
• 3. Michael Busch, 1B
• 4. Ian Happ, LF
• 5. Michael Conforto, RF
• 6. Nico Hoerner, 2B
• 7. Pedro Ramírez, 3B
• 8. Dansby Swanson, SS
• 9. Miguel Amaya, C

Pitching Matchup: Starters to Be Determined

Neither club has announced a probable starter for Sunday's game. That uncertainty is worth tracking on its own — late-September pitching decisions can reflect roster management, workload limits, or a bullpen game in the making. Check back closer to first pitch for any announcements, and keep an eye on the NESN pregame coverage for the latest out of Fenway.

Keys to Watch Against the Cubs

Roman Anthony at the Top of the Order

The Red Sox are giving Roman Anthony the leadoff role, and that decision puts a spotlight squarely on the young outfielder. How he handles at-bats against an unknown Cubs arm will set the tone. Anthony getting on base consistently makes life easier for everyone hitting behind him, including Adley Rutschman and Willson Contreras in the three-hole.

Willson Contreras Facing His Former Club

Contreras spent years with the Cubs before moving on, and Sunday brings him back against his former organization. He slots in at DH hitting third for Boston. There's no need to dramatize the reunion — what matters is whether he produces in a lineup spot that demands run-driving performance.

Cubs Veteran Depth in the Middle of the Order

Chicago's lineup construction deserves respect. Alex Bregman hitting second and Ian Happ in the four-hole give the Cubs experienced, disciplined hitters who work counts and punish mistake pitches. Whoever Boston sends to the mound will need to be sharp early, because the Cubs can do damage before you blink.

Ceddanne Rafaela's Defense in Center

With the Fenway Park dimensions in play, Rafaela's range in center field is an asset the Red Sox lean on. Pete Crow-Armstrong will be doing the same job for Chicago. Expect both center fielders to be factors, whether tracking down gap shots or reading off the Green Monster's carom.

Prediction

Without confirmed starters, making a hard pitching-driven prediction is not honest work. What the lineups do tell us is that both clubs are fielding competitive, experienced rosters. The Red Sox have home-field advantage at Fenway and a lineup that can string together hits from top to bottom. Boston's ability to get runners moving early off a TBD arm gives them a credible edge. Edge: Red Sox, but this one could go either way depending on who's actually taking the ball.