The Boston Red Sox welcome the Cleveland Guardians to Fenway Park on Tuesday, September 22, with first pitch set for 6:45 PM ET on NESN. Payton Tolle gets the ball for Boston against Cleveland left-hander Parker Messick in what shapes up as a pitcher's duel between two arms still establishing themselves at the major league level. With the regular season winding down, every game at Fenway carries weight, and the Sox will look to take care of business in front of the home crowd.

Probable Pitchers: Payton Tolle vs. Parker Messick

Tolle draws the start for the Red Sox, taking on a Guardians lineup that is built around contact, patience, and doing damage when it counts. Without established ERA figures available for either starter heading into this one, the focus shifts to how each pitcher handles pressure situations late in the year. Messick will counter from the Cleveland side, giving the Guardians a left-handed option against a Boston lineup that will need to adjust accordingly.

Boston Red Sox Starting Lineup

• 1. Roman Anthony, LF
• 2. Nick Sogard, 1B
• 3. Jahmai Jones, DH
• 4. Wilyer Abreu, RF
• 5. Adley Rutschman, C
• 6. Caleb Durbin, 3B
• 7. Andruw Monasterio, 2B
• 8. Isiah Kiner-Falefa, SS
• 9. Nate Eaton, CF

Cleveland Guardians Starting Lineup

• 1. Steven Kwan, CF
• 2. José Ramírez, 3B
• 3. Chase DeLauter, RF
• 4. Jo Adell, DH
• 5. Angel Martínez, LF
• 6. David Fry, 1B
• 7. Travis Bazzana, 2B
• 8. Austin Hedges, C
• 9. Brayan Rocchio, SS

Keys to Watch at Fenway Park

Roman Anthony Sets the Table

The Red Sox are sending Roman Anthony to the top of the order in left field, a signal that Boston wants him driving the offensive tempo from pitch one. How Anthony fares against Messick early will go a long way toward setting the tone for the home half of the lineup.

Adley Rutschman in the Heart of the Order

Batting fifth and catching for the Red Sox, Adley Rutschman is one of the more complete players on this roster. His ability to work counts and come through in run-scoring situations makes him a key figure whenever the lineup has men on base. Rutschman catching Tolle also gives Boston a steadying presence behind the plate as the young starter navigates a tough Cleveland order.

Stopping José Ramírez

Cleveland's lineup runs through José Ramírez at third base, batting second. Ramírez is the kind of hitter who can change a game with one swing or one smart at-bat, and Tolle will need a clear plan against him every time up. Getting ahead of Ramírez early in counts is critical. Letting him work deep into at-bats is a recipe for trouble.

Wilyer Abreu as the Cleanup Catalyst

Abreu slots in at cleanup and right field for Boston. His presence in the four hole means the Red Sox have a legitimate run-producing threat in the middle of the order, and how he performs against Messick could be the difference in a close game.

Prediction

This is a matchup where starting pitching, bullpen management, and small-ball execution will determine the outcome more than any single power swing. Boston has the home-field advantage at Fenway and a lineup with enough depth to chip away at Messick. If Tolle can give the Red Sox five or six competitive innings and keep Ramírez contained, Boston has the edge. Red Sox 4, Guardians 2.