The Boston Red Sox head to Pittsburgh for a Sunday afternoon interleague clash against the Pirates, with first pitch set for 1:35 PM ET at PNC Park. Patrick Sandoval gets the ball for Boston against Pittsburgh's Lake Bachar. It's a road test for a Red Sox lineup that features Adley Rutschman in the cleanup spot and a mix of veterans and emerging pieces working through the second half of the 2026 season. NESN has the broadcast for Red Sox fans, with WEEI 93.7 carrying the radio call.

Patrick Sandoval vs. Lake Bachar: Sunday's Pitching Matchup

Sandoval draws the start for Boston, taking on a Pirates lineup that has some recognizable names in the middle of the order. Bryan Reynolds slots in as Pittsburgh's designated hitter batting third, with Brandon Lowe — whose career has been defined by a blend of power and on-base ability — protecting Reynolds from the four hole. Henry Davis, the former top overall pick, bats ninth for Pittsburgh as the catcher, which tells you something about where the Pirates are asking him to contribute right now.

Bachar gets the assignment for the home side. Boston's offense will be looking to get to him early and set a tone before Pittsburgh can settle their pitcher into a rhythm.

Boston Red Sox Lineup and Players to Watch at PNC Park

Manager has constructed an interesting lineup for this one. Nick Sogard leads off from first base, followed by Ceddanne Rafaela in center. Rafaela's speed and range in the outfield makes him one of the more dynamic pieces in this Boston lineup on both sides of the ball. Wilyer Abreu bats third, with Rutschman — a switch-hitter with a reputation for working deep counts — anchoring the four spot as the designated hitter.

• Adley Rutschman (DH, 4th): The switch-hitting catcher-turned-DH brings elite plate discipline to the heart of this lineup. Getting Rutschman going is critical to any Red Sox offensive push.
• Ceddanne Rafaela (CF, 2nd): His speed at the top of the order creates havoc on the bases and gives Boston a genuine threat to manufacture runs even when the hits aren't falling.
• Jarren Duran (LF, 7th): Batting seventh is a notable spot for Duran, who has shown the ability to impact games in a hurry. His placement in the order is worth watching — if Boston needs a spark late, Duran is the kind of hitter who can provide it.
• Connor Wong (C, 9th): Wong rounds out the order behind the plate. His ability to handle Sandoval and frame pitches effectively could have a quiet but real impact on how long Sandoval lasts.

Pittsburgh Pirates Lineup: Key Threats for Boston's Pitching Staff

Sandoval will need to navigate a Pirates lineup that has some capable bats. Jared Triolo leads off at shortstop, with Esmerlyn Valdez batting second in right field. Reynolds at three is the name Sandoval must keep off the bases. Lowe follows at second base, and Nick Yorke — a former Boston prospect — shows up in this Pittsburgh lineup batting seventh at third base. There will be some extra storyline in watching how Yorke fares against his former organization's pitching.

Prediction: Red Sox Take Sunday's Interleague Road Game

Boston has the edge here if Sandoval can give the club length and keep Reynolds and Lowe from doing damage in the middle innings. The Red Sox lineup, particularly with Rutschman anchoring the order and Rafaela setting the table at the top, has enough firepower to support a quality start. Look for Boston to take care of business on the road and come away with a Sunday afternoon win. Red Sox 5, Pirates 3.