The Boston Red Sox head to Sacramento for a Tuesday, July 28 matchup against the Athletics at Sutter Health Park, with first pitch set for 9:40 PM ET. Jake Bennett gets the ball for Boston opposite Athletics left-hander Gage Jump in what shapes up as a pitching duel between two arms still carving out their roles at the big-league level. The game airs on NESN locally and can be heard on WEEI 93.7 FM in New England. With the second half of the 2026 season rolling, every game carries real weight in the AL standings.
Red Sox at Athletics: Tuesday, July 28, 2026 Game Preview
Starting Pitchers: Jake Bennett vs. Gage Jump
Jake Bennett draws the start for the Red Sox. The left-hander has shown flashes of the stuff that got him to the majors — a deceptive arm angle and the ability to generate soft contact — and this is a meaningful opportunity to build on his season's work against an Athletics lineup that can be streaky. Bennett will need to establish his fastball early and use his secondary pitches to keep hitters off-balance in a ballpark that plays differently than Fenway.
On the other side, Gage Jump takes the hill for Oakland. Jump is a young arm who the A's have been developing carefully, and facing a Red Sox lineup on the road is a legitimate test of where he is in that process. Boston's hitters will look to work counts against him early and force the Athletics bullpen into action as the game progresses.
Keys to Watch
- Bennett's command: If Bennett can locate his pitches and avoid the big inning, Boston's offense should have enough to compete. Walks and extra-base hits are the danger zones.
- Working Jump early: The Red Sox lineup should look to be patient against a pitcher who is still establishing himself. Getting into the Athletics bullpen by the fifth or sixth inning would be a significant advantage.
- Road environment: Sutter Health Park in Sacramento is not a typical big-league road trip. The Red Sox need to handle the travel and the atmosphere without letting it disrupt their rhythm.
- Bullpen management: Depending on how Bennett fares through the lineup, the Red Sox bullpen could be heavily involved. Keeping the high-leverage arms fresh matters for the days ahead.
Prediction
This one hinges on Bennett. If he gives Boston five or six solid innings, the Red Sox offense has the capability to take care of business against a developing Athletics starter. Expect a competitive, lower-scoring game with the Red Sox edging out a road win. Red Sox 4, Athletics 2.
