The Boston Red Sox welcome the Tampa Bay Rays to Fenway Park on Friday, July 17, for a 1:35 PM ET afternoon matchup. Jake Bennett gets the ball for Boston, squaring off against Griffin Jax for Tampa Bay. With the AL East standings never far from anyone's mind at this point in the season, a divisional game at Fenway carries real weight. Catch it on NESN locally or tune into WEEI 93.7 FM if you're on the road.

Pitching Matchup: Jake Bennett vs. Griffin Jax

Bennett draws the start for the Red Sox in what figures to be a closely watched outing. The left-handed pitching prospect has been working his way into the Boston rotation conversation, and a divisional home start is exactly the kind of opportunity to make a statement. Detailed ERA and win-loss numbers for this matchup were not available ahead of first pitch, so we'll let the performance do the talking.

Jax heads to the mound for Tampa Bay. The Rays have long built their pitching staff through depth and unconventional usage, and Jax fits that mold — a arm capable of eating innings in multiple roles. Boston's lineup will need to stay disciplined and work counts early if they want to get into the Tampa Bay bullpen before the late innings.

Boston Red Sox Starting Lineup

• Anthony Seigler — 2B
• Ceddanne Rafaela — CF
• Wilyer Abreu — RF
• Caleb Durbin — 3B
• Masataka Yoshida — DH
• Romy Gonzalez — DH
• Jarren Duran — LF
• Carlos Narváez — C
• Tsung-Che Cheng — SS

Keys to Watch at Fenway

Bennett's Command on the Mound

Bennett's ability to throw strikes and keep Tampa Bay's patient lineup off balance will set the tone. The Rays are disciplined hitters who will gladly take a walk and make a young starter work. If Bennett can get ahead in counts and use the bottom of the zone effectively, he gives Boston a legitimate chance to win this one.

Rafaela and Abreu Setting the Table Early

Hitting second and third, Ceddanne Rafaela and Wilyer Abreu are critical links between the leadoff spot and the middle of the order. Rafaela's speed and instincts in center make him a threat on the bases, while Abreu in right has shown the ability to barrel the ball. If those two are on base when Caleb Durbin comes to the plate batting cleanup, the Red Sox offense is cooking.

Yoshida's At-Bats in the Middle of the Order

Masataka Yoshida hitting fifth gives Boston a professional, contact-oriented bat to protect the lineup through the middle innings. His plate discipline tends to be a strength, and against a pitcher the lineup may be seeing for the first time, that approach could pay dividends.

Prediction

This is a winnable game for Boston at home. Fenway Park afternoon games in July have their own energy, and the Red Sox have enough lineup depth to put pressure on Jax early. The X-factor is Bennett — if he can get through five or six innings without major damage, the bullpen can close it out. Red Sox 4, Rays 2.