The Boston Red Sox return to Fenway Park on Sunday, August 23 for a 3:15 PM ET regular-season matchup against the San Francisco Giants. Jake Bennett gets the ball for Boston, squaring off against Giants starter Matt Wilkinson in what shapes up as an intriguing pitching duel between two arms that don't face each other often. With the calendar deep into August, every game in the standings carries weight, making this afternoon series finale one worth watching closely.
Probable Starters: Jake Bennett vs. Matt Wilkinson
Jake Bennett draws the Sunday assignment for the Red Sox. The young left-hander has been working to establish himself in the Boston rotation, and a home start at Fenway Park is always a chance to make a statement in front of the home crowd. How Bennett handles a Giants lineup that travels across the country with its own set of veteran pieces will be worth monitoring from the first pitch.
Wilkinson gets the nod for San Francisco. The Giants are sending him out in a road environment that can be notoriously difficult for visiting pitchers — Fenway's dimensions and its energized crowds have a way of complicating life for opposing starters. Wilkinson will need to keep the Sox offense off the bases if the Giants want to leave Boston with a win.
Keys to Watch in Boston vs. San Francisco
- Bennett's command early: Getting through the Giants lineup a second and third time will depend heavily on whether Bennett can establish his stuff in the opening innings. First-pitch strikes and limiting walks will be critical at Fenway.
- Red Sox offense against a fresh arm: Boston's lineup will be seeing Wilkinson for the first time or with limited recent exposure. Working counts and forcing Wilkinson deep into pitch counts early could open the door for the Sox bullpen to close things out.
- Bullpen management: With a Sunday afternoon start and potential roster considerations heading into the week, how each manager handles the back end of the game could decide it. Both bullpens bear watching from the seventh inning on.
- Fenway factor: The Green Monster remains one of baseball's most unpredictable variables. A ball that's a flyout in any other park can change the game in an instant here, for either side.
Broadcast Information
Sunday's game airs on NBC/Peacock for national television viewers. Red Sox radio coverage is available on WEEI 93.7 FM, with Spanish-language options on WCCM 1490 AM and WESX 1230 AM. Giants fans can catch the call on KNBR 680 and KSFN 1510 AM in Spanish.
Prediction: Red Sox 4, Giants 2
Fenway Park on a Sunday afternoon in August is about as good as it gets for Red Sox baseball. Bennett has the opportunity to author a quality start at home, and the Boston lineup should find a way to do enough damage against Wilkinson to secure the win. Take the Red Sox in this one.
