The Boston Red Sox welcome the Cleveland Guardians to Fenway Park on Wednesday, September 23, for a 7:10 PM ET first pitch with postseason positioning still very much in the picture this late in the regular season. Sonny Gray gets the ball for Boston opposite Cleveland left-hander Foster Griffin. The game airs nationally on ESPN and the ESPN App, with local radio coverage on WEEI 93.7 FM for Red Sox fans. This is exactly the kind of September home date that matters — a chance for Boston to take care of business in front of the Fenway faithful.
Probable Pitchers: Sonny Gray vs. Foster Griffin
Sonny Gray draws the start for the Red Sox. A veteran right-hander with a track record of durability and poise, Gray is the kind of arm you want on the hill in a meaningful September game. His ability to work deep into games and keep lineups off-balance makes him one of Boston's most reliable rotation options.
Cleveland counters with Foster Griffin, a left-handed pitcher who will be working against a Red Sox lineup that can be dangerous from both sides of the plate. Griffin has big-league experience but faces the challenge of navigating Fenway Park, where the quirks of the ballpark — the Green Monster, the tight foul territory — have a way of keeping visiting pitchers honest.
Keys to Watch
- Gray's command early: If Gray establishes his fastball and works ahead in counts, Cleveland's lineup will have a long night. The Guardians are a disciplined club, so first-pitch strikes will be critical.
- Red Sox offense against a left-hander: Boston's ability to produce against Griffin will hinge on how right-handed bats handle his offering. Look for the lineup construction and which hitters get the best looks early.
- Fenway Park atmosphere: A late-September crowd at Fenway brings genuine energy. Home-field advantage is real, and the Red Sox have historically responded to a loud Lansdowne Street crowd.
- Bullpen depth: With September rosters expanded, both managers have options. How long each starter goes and when the first call to the bullpen comes could define the game's outcome.
Prediction
Gray is the advantage in this pitching matchup. He profiles as the more experienced arm in a pressure situation, and Fenway Park on a September night with a loud crowd tends to favor the home side. Expect a competitive game — the Guardians don't beat themselves — but Boston's combination of home-field edge and a steady starter on the mound gives the Red Sox the nod. Red Sox 4, Guardians 2.
