The Boston Red Sox head to Pittsburgh for a Friday night matchup against the Pirates at PNC Park, with first pitch set for 6:40 PM ET on August 14. Jake Bennett gets the ball for Boston opposite Pittsburgh's Bubba Chandler in what figures to be an intriguing test for two young arms still carving out their places in their respective rotations. With the dog days of August here and every game carrying playoff implications, the Sox need road wins like this one to stay relevant in what has been a grinding AL East race.
Pitching Matchup: Jake Bennett vs. Bubba Chandler
Bennett draws the start for Boston in a matchup that puts two developing starters front and center. The left-hander has shown flashes of the stuff that made him a prospect worth tracking, and road outings like this one — against a Pirates lineup that can be streaky — represent exactly the kind of opportunity Bennett needs to build momentum heading into the final stretch of the regular season.
On the other side, Bubba Chandler is one of the more intriguing young arms in the National League. The Pittsburgh right-hander has electric stuff and the Pirates will lean on him to keep the Sox offense in check. Boston's lineup will need to be patient early and look to make Chandler work deep into counts, because when he locates his fastball, he can be difficult to square up.
Keys to Watch for Boston at PNC Park
- Bennett's command: If he's hitting his spots and keeping the ball in the ballpark — PNC Park is a fair test with its gaps and dimensions — Boston has a real chance to steal a win on the road.
- Offense against a live arm: Chandler is not a pitcher you want to take lightly. The Sox will need to be disciplined at the plate, work counts, and capitalize when they get their pitches.
- Bullpen management: August starts carry weight in terms of workload. How far Boston can push Bennett will shape how the relievers are used across the rest of this series.
- Road execution: PNC Park is a beautiful venue and a legitimately tough place to play. The Red Sox will need clean defense and smart baserunning to complement whatever Bennett gives them.
Broadcast Information
Boston fans can catch the game on NESN, with radio coverage available on WEEI 93.7. Pittsburgh-area viewers can tune in to SportsNet Pittsburgh, with radio on Sports Radio 93.7 KDKA The Fan. Spanish-language radio coverage is available on WCCM 1490 AM and WESX 1230 AM.
Prediction
This one comes down to Bennett. If he can give Boston five or six innings of quality work and keep the Pirates from getting to the bullpen early, the Sox offense should be capable of doing enough against a young pitcher who can be hittable when his mechanics drift. Call it a 4-3 Boston win — a grind-it-out road victory of the type that separates contenders from also-rans when August turns serious.
