The Boston Red Sox welcome the Baltimore Orioles to Fenway Park on Monday, July 20, for a 7:10 PM ET first pitch. Right-hander Payton Tolle gets the ball for Boston, squaring off against Shane Baz on the mound for Baltimore. With the AL East as competitive as ever, every game between these two division rivals carries real weight — even deep into the summer. Catch the action on NESN locally or MASN if you're in Baltimore territory, with radio coverage on WEEI 93.7 FM.

Probable Pitchers: Payton Tolle vs. Shane Baz

Payton Tolle draws the start for the Red Sox in what shapes up as a meaningful opportunity. The young right-hander will be tested early and often against an Orioles lineup that can put pressure on opposing starters. For Baltimore, Shane Baz takes the hill — a pitcher with frontline stuff who can make any lineup uncomfortable when he's on. Neither pitcher's current-season ERA or record is available heading into tonight, so the storyline writes itself on the field.

Boston Red Sox Starting Lineup

• 1. Anthony Seigler — 2B
• 2. Ceddanne Rafaela — CF
• 3. Wilyer Abreu — RF
• 4. Willson Contreras — 1B
• 5. Masataka Yoshida — DH
• 6. Caleb Durbin — 3B
• 7. Jarren Duran — LF
• 8. Connor Wong — C
• 9. Tsung-Che Cheng — SS

Keys to Watch at Fenway Park

Tolle's Command in a Pressure Spot

Payton Tolle's ability to throw strikes and get quick outs will be critical. Pitching at Fenway against a Baltimore club that can grind at-bats, Tolle will need to establish himself early. If he can keep the ball in the park and work efficiently through the lineup, Boston's offense should have chances to do damage.

Willson Contreras Anchoring the Middle of the Order

Slotted in at first base and batting cleanup, Contreras is the focal point of this lineup. His at-bats against Baz will set the tone for whether Boston can generate run support. Contreras has the experience and the bat to do real damage against quality pitching, and this is exactly the kind of spot where his presence matters.

Rafaela and Abreu Setting the Table

With Ceddanne Rafaela in the two-hole and Wilyer Abreu hitting third, Boston has two active, athletic outfielders who can get on base and create havoc on the basepaths. If those two are on when Contreras steps in, this lineup has a chance to put up crooked numbers early against Baz.

Cheng and Wong at the Bottom of the Order

Don't sleep on the bottom third. Connor Wong and Tsung-Che Cheng at eight and nine give Boston a legitimate 1-2 at the base of the order that can flip the lineup over and extend innings. That kind of depth makes a lineup difficult to navigate for any starter working deep into a game.

Prediction

This is a division matchup at Fenway, and those games rarely disappoint. The Red Sox have the lineup depth to put Shane Baz in uncomfortable counts, and if Tolle can give Boston five solid innings, the bullpen should be in a position to close it out. Red Sox win, 4-2.