Venue: Fenway Park, Boston, Massachusetts
Scheduled First Pitch: 4:10 p.m. ET
Broadcast: NBC Sports California, NESN, MLB.TV
WEATHER FORECAST — BOSTON, MA
Temperature: 82°F at first pitch
Humidity: 64%
Wind: 10 mph blowing out toward the Green Monster
Conditions: Clear, warm afternoon
Ballpark Impact: Slightly hitter‑friendly; warm air + breeze toward left field could boost doubles and wall‑ball hits
PROJECTED STARTING PITCHERS
Athletics — RHP Joey Estes (“Jump”)
2026 Season: 4–9, 4.71 ERA, 1.34 WHIP
Strengths: Rising fastball, competitive mound presence, improving slider
Concerns: Fenway’s left‑field dimensions; struggles vs left‑handed hitters
Notes: Estes has allowed 3+ runs in five of his last seven starts.
Boston Red Sox — RHP Ryan Bennett
2026 Season: 8–5, 3.62 ERA, 1.18 WHIP
Strengths: Strong command, effective cutter, keeps ball on the ground
Concerns: Occasional trouble finishing innings; A’s aggressive baserunning
Notes: Bennett has a 2.91 ERA at Fenway this season and has pitched at least six innings in four straight starts.
INJURY REPORT
Athletics
Ken Waldichuk — 60‑day IL (elbow)
Kyle Muller — 15‑day IL (shoulder)
Lawrence Butler — Day‑to‑day (wrist)
Mason Miller — Out (lat strain)
Boston Red Sox
Chris Martin — 15‑day IL (shoulder)
Garrett Whitlock — Out (elbow)
Wilyer Abreu — Day‑to‑day (hamstring)
Brennan Bernardino — 10‑day IL (back)
RECENT TEAM FORM
Oakland Athletics — Last 10 Games
Record: 3–7
Offense: 3.6 runs per game
Pitching: 5.12 ERA
Trend: Inconsistent offense; bullpen struggling late in games
Boston Red Sox — Last 10 Games
Record: 7–3
Offense: 5.4 runs per game
Pitching: 3.71 ERA
Trend: Strong home performance; Devers and Casas driving run production
SERIES HISTORY
2023–2026: Red Sox lead 17–6
At Fenway Park: Red Sox lead 10–2
Last Meeting (May 2026): Red Sox swept 3–0
Key Trend: Boston’s left‑handed power consistently overwhelms Oakland pitching at Fenway
KEY PLAYER MATCHUPS
1. Joey Estes vs Rafael Devers
Devers’ elite left‑handed power vs Estes’ rising fastball. Fenway’s dimensions favor Devers, who has homered twice off Oakland pitching this season.
2. Ryan Bennett vs Brent Rooker
Rooker’s pull power vs Bennett’s cutter. Bennett must avoid middle‑in mistakes; Rooker thrives on elevated fastballs.
3. Triston Casas vs A’s Bullpen
Casas has a .318 average at Fenway this season and has punished late‑inning right‑handers.
4. Esteury Ruiz vs Connor Wong
Ruiz’s speed vs Wong’s strong throwing arm. Ruiz’s baserunning could be Oakland’s best path to manufacturing runs.
TACTICAL OUTLOOK
Athletics
Strengths: Speed, athletic outfield, improving young core
Concerns: Pitching depth, bullpen volatility, inconsistent run production
Keys to Win:
Estes must limit early damage
Ruiz/Gelof must create pressure on bases
Keep Devers/Casas from exploiting Fenway’s left‑field wall
Boston Red Sox
Strengths: Deep lineup, strong home splits, Bennett’s command
Concerns: Middle‑relief injuries
Keys to Win:
Bennett must work ahead in counts
Devers/Casas must drive early run production
Attack Oakland’s bullpen aggressively
BETTING TRENDS
Red Sox are 9–3 in their last 12 home games
Athletics are 2–8 in their last 10 road games
Over has hit in 6 of the last 9 Red Sox games
Red Sox are 7–1 in Bennett’s last eight starts
Athletics are 3–10 in Estes’ last 13 starts
Devers has reached base in 15 straight games
Game Odds
Athletics 9
Boston Red Sox – 255
Odds Courtesy of Sports Odds Direct as of Friday, August 7, 2026
