loanDepot park, Miami, Florida
First pitch: 6:40 p.m. ET (MIAM / NESN)
Venue & Weather
loanDepot park (retractable roof; artificial turf). Forecast for game time: warm and humid with highs near 88–92°F during the day, cooling into the mid-to-upper 80s by first pitch. Partly cloudy with low precipitation chance (around 0–10% or isolated showers possible earlier; roof status often closed in similar conditions for comfort). Light winds (around 5–9 mph, southerly or variable). Minimal weather disruption expected; heat/humidity is the main factor.
Starting Pitchers
Red Sox: LHP Ranger Suárez (5-3, 3.41–3.42 ERA, ~1.18 WHIP, 113.1 IP, 113 K, 33 BB, 7 HR)
Solid mid-rotation arm with good command. Has a strong history at loanDepot park (noted for multiple wins and a sub-2.50 ERA in prior appearances there). Coming off extra rest. Recent form mixed but overall effective in limiting damage.
Marlins: RHP Sandy Alcantara (13-8, 3.46 ERA, ~1.18 WHIP, 176.2 IP, 131 K, 47 BB, 18 HR)
Workhorse ace and franchise leader in starts (approaching or tying records). Consistent innings-eater with solid recent stretches (stronger over last several outings in some reports). Higher HR total than Suárez but similar overall efficiency metrics.
Pitching edge is relatively even on paper, with Suárez’s park history and Alcantara’s volume/experience as counterbalances.
Current Rosters / Key Players
Red Sox key contributors:
Willson Contreras (1B, power/RBI leader ~26 HR, 78 RBI), Ceddanne Rafaela (CF, high AVG ~.286–.289, multi-tool), Wilyer Abreu (RF), Jarren Duran (OF), Caleb Durbin (3B), Andruw Monasterio (SS/INF), Adley Rutschman (C, recent acquisition), Nick Sogard, Eli White. Pitching depth includes Sonny Gray (ace-level, 16-3, ~2.79 ERA), Payton Tolle, Jake Bennett, Aroldis Chapman (closer).
Marlins key contributors:
Otto Lopez (SS, standout ~.306–.307 AVG, strong OBP/OPS, SB threat), Xavier Edwards (2B, contact/speed), Heriberto Hernández (OF, power ~19 HR), Griffin Conine, Esteury Ruiz, Javier Sanoja, Jakob Marsee, Kyle Stowers (1B, power, IL status fluid). Pitching includes Eury Pérez, Tyler Phillips, Pete Fairbanks (closer).
Injury Reports
Red Sox: Trevor Story (SS, 60-day IL – abdomen/sports hernia; rehab progressing, possible return window around series), Isiah Kiner-Falefa (INF, 60-day IL – forearm), Roman Anthony (OF, 60-day IL – finger/wrist; rehab), Garrett Whitlock (RP, 15-day IL – elbow), Justin Slaten (RP, 15-day IL – elbow), Masataka Yoshida (DH, 10-day IL – hamstring), Curtis Mead (INF, 10-day IL – hand/wrist), longer-term absences (Triston Casas, Kutter Crawford, Tanner Houck, Garrett Crochet, etc.). Some rehab notes suggest potential activations soon.
Marlins: Kyle Stowers (1B/OF, 10-day IL – hamstring; return estimates around Aug. 24 or shortly after), Anthony Bender (RP, 15-day IL – shin/lower leg), Max Meyer (SP, 15-day IL – neck), longer-term (Ronny Henriquez, Adam Mazur, Andrew Nardi, Robby Snelling, William Kempner – mostly elbow-related).
Recent Team Forms
Red Sox (7-3 last 10, W3): Hot streak, including a sweep of the Giants (5-4, 3-2, 6-4). Strong pitching (team ERA ~3.51, top-tier) and balanced offense (.251 AVG). Away record 37-27. Solid wild-card positioning.
Marlins (5-5 last 10, W3): Swept the Nationals (including 6-2 on Aug. 23). Competitive home team (41-25). Offense relies on contact/speed (high SB total); pitching solid but higher ERA (~3.90–3.92). In the NL wild-card mix.
Series History
This is the only 2026 regular-season series between the clubs (three games). Recent H2H (2024–2025 samples) has been competitive or slightly favored Boston in some matchups, with mixed results and totals often in the 8–9 range historically. Marlins have home success overall.
Key Player vs. Player / Matchup Notes
Suárez (LHP, command-oriented) vs. Marlins hitters: Favorable against a contact/speed-heavy lineup (Lopez, Edwards). Watch for ground-ball tendencies and limiting damage vs. power threats like Hernández or Stowers (if active).
Alcantara (RHP, high-volume) vs. Red Sox hitters: Boston’s mix of contact (Rafaela) and power (Contreras, Abreu) could test him, especially if traffic builds. Lefties like Abreu/Duran may see advantages.
Bullpens: Red Sox edge with Chapman; Marlins rely on Fairbanks and depth. Team styles: Both mid-pack offensively; Red Sox superior pitching staff overall (better ERA/WHIP/runs allowed). Speed edge to Marlins (high SB).
Betting Trends
Red Sox strong recent form and pitching edge; Marlins solid at home. Totals lean toward under in some pitcher-friendly setups. Public often backs favorites; value may appear on Marlins ML or under if lines hold.
Game Odds
Boston Red Sox – 130
Miami Marlins 7
Odds Courtesy of Sports Odds Direct as of Sunday, August 23, 2026
