The Boston Red Sox welcome the Arizona Diamondbacks to Fenway Park on Wednesday, August 19, for a 4:10 PM ET regular-season matchup. Boston sends right-hander Payton Tolle to the hill against Arizona's Brandon Pfaadt in what shapes up as an intriguing mid-August contest. With the Green Monster looming and a full lineup card in hand, the Sox have a legitimate opportunity to take care of business in front of the Fenway faithful. Catch it on NESN locally, or tune into WEEI 93.7 FM for radio coverage.

Pitching Matchup: Tolle vs. Pfaadt

Tolle gets the ball for the Red Sox in what is a significant opportunity for the young pitcher to make his case at Fenway. This is a start worth watching closely — Tolle will need to command the strike zone and keep Arizona's lineup off-balance to give Boston a chance to control the game from the first pitch.

On the other side, Brandon Pfaadt takes the mound for Arizona. Pfaadt has shown the ability to work deep into games and challenge hitters with a varied arsenal. Boston's lineup will need to be patient and look for pitches to drive rather than chasing early in counts.

Boston Red Sox Starting Lineup

• 1. Nick Sogard — 2B
• 2. Ceddanne Rafaela — CF
• 3. Wilyer Abreu — RF
• 4. Willson Contreras — 1B
• 5. Caleb Durbin — 3B
• 6. Mickey Gasper — DH
• 7. Andruw Monasterio — SS
• 8. Jarren Duran — LF
• 9. Connor Wong — C

Keys to Watch at Fenway Park

Contreras in the Middle of the Order

Willson Contreras slots in at cleanup and first base, giving Boston a dangerous bat in the heart of the lineup. His ability to do damage against right-handed pitching will be a major factor against Pfaadt. If Contreras gets his pitch and punishes it, the Sox offense can open up in a hurry.

Rafaela and Abreu Setting the Table

Ceddanne Rafaela batting second and Wilyer Abreu hitting third gives Boston two athletic, energetic options to create havoc before the middle of the order arrives. Rafaela's speed on the bases is a constant threat, and Abreu's arm and bat make him a genuine weapon in this lineup construction.

Duran's Role Hitting Eighth

Jarren Duran dropping to the eighth spot is notable. Duran has shown the ability to impact games in a big way, and his presence lower in the order gives Boston a secondary threat that opposing pitchers cannot simply cruise through late in lineups.

Tolle's Command and Composure

This is the biggest key of the afternoon. Tolle pitching well at Fenway — working ahead in counts, limiting walks, and keeping Arizona from stringing together big innings — is the difference between Boston controlling this game and chasing it. The Red Sox defense behind him, with Rafaela in center and Wong calling the game behind the plate, gives him a solid foundation to work with.

Prediction

Fenway Park in August, a fired-up crowd, and a lineup with legitimate depth top to bottom. The Red Sox take this one. Contreras delivers the big hit, Tolle pitches into the sixth, and the bullpen closes it out. Boston wins, 4-2.