Image Source: The Boston Globe
Diamondbacks vs Red Sox action returns to Fenway Park Monday night, with Boston urgently looking to reverse a troubling stretch of baseball. The Red Sox open a three-game series against Arizona after dropping five of seven games on their recent road trip and losing seven of their last nine overall.
Boston enters the matchup at 66-58, while the Diamondbacks arrive with a 66-59 record. The teams will meet at 7:10 p.m. in a game televised on NESN and Channel 38, with radio coverage on WEEI-FM 93.7.
Diamondbacks vs Red Sox Lineups and Starting Pitchers
The Red Sox will hand the ball to left-hander Alec Gamboa, who is 0-0 with a sharp 1.59 ERA. Gamboa has not faced any Arizona hitters, adding an element of uncertainty to Monday’s pitching matchup.
Arizona will counter with left-hander Mitch Bratt. The Diamondbacks starter is 1-1 with a 3.74 ERA and also has no previous experience against the Boston lineup.
- Diamondbacks lineup: Vargas at second base, Corbin Carroll in right field, Gabriel Moreno at catcher, Geraldo Perdomo at shortstop, Jordan Lawlar in center field, Tawa at first base, Fernandez at third base, Nootbaar at designated hitter, and Waldschmidt in left field.
- Red Sox lineup: Willi Castro Sogard at second base, Ceddanne Rafaela in center field, Wilyer Abreu in right field, Willson Contreras at first base, Adley Rutschman at catcher, Nick Sogard Durbin at third base, Monasterio at shortstop, Gasper at designated hitter, and White in left field.
Critical Injury News for Boston
The Red Sox will be without Masataka Yoshida and Justin Slaten. Both players were placed on the injured list Sunday, leaving Boston without an important offensive contributor and a trusted option in the bullpen.
Yoshida is dealing with a left hamstring strain. He has batted .274 this season, producing five home runs and 28 runs batted in. His absence could force Boston to adjust its designated hitter plans and further test the depth of its position-player group.
Slaten is sidelined by elbow inflammation. The right-handed reliever is 2-4 with a 4.60 ERA across 36 relief appearances. The Red Sox will need other late-inning arms to absorb his workload, particularly if Gamboa exits early or the game turns into a close contest.
Arizona could also be missing a major name. Nolan Arenado is listed as a question mark after leaving Sunday’s game against Atlanta with left trunk discomfort. The 35-year-old third baseman hit two home runs in Arizona’s 10-3 victory Saturday but did not play in the Diamondbacks’ 5-3 loss Sunday.
Can Boston Stop the Slide?
The Red Sox’s recent form has created pressure at an important point in the season. Boston has gone 18-18 against National League opponents, and the upcoming series offers an immediate chance to stabilize its record against Arizona.
Gamboa’s strong ERA gives the Sox an encouraging starting point, but the pitching plan may rely heavily on Brayan Bello. Bello is expected to follow Gamboa and has experienced dramatically different results depending on his role. As a traditional starter, he has posted a 10.35 ERA over eight appearances spanning 35⅔ innings. As a bulk reliever, however, he has delivered a 0.75 ERA over 48 innings.
That contrast could make Boston’s pitching strategy one of the game’s most fascinating storylines. The Red Sox may again look to Bello in a controlled relief role, where he has been significantly more effective.
Boston’s offense still has plenty of power. The club has an American League-best four players with at least 15 home runs and 60 RBIs: Abreu, Contreras, Jarren Duran, and Rafaela. If that group can generate early pressure against Bratt, the Red Sox could give their pitchers a valuable cushion.
Bratt Arrives With Momentum
Although Bratt’s season ERA climbed to 6.32 after he allowed five runs in five innings against the Washington Nationals on July 25, he has since settled down. The left-hander has surrendered only three earned runs over his last 18 innings.
That recent improvement presents a challenging assignment for a Boston lineup trying to rediscover its rhythm. The Red Sox will need disciplined at-bats, timely hitting, and a clean defensive performance to avoid extending their latest skid.
First pitch for the Diamondbacks vs Red Sox series opener is scheduled for 7:10 p.m. at Fenway Park. Information for this preview came from The Boston Globe, with material from FieldLevel Media also used.
Frequently Asked Questions
When is the Diamondbacks vs Red Sox game?
The series opener is scheduled for Monday at 7:10 p.m. at Fenway Park.
Who is starting for the Red Sox?
Left-hander Alec Gamboa is scheduled to start for Boston. He enters the game with a 0-0 record and a 1.59 ERA.
Who will pitch for Arizona?
Left-hander Mitch Bratt is expected to start for the Diamondbacks. He is 1-1 with a 3.74 ERA.
Why is Masataka Yoshida unavailable?
Yoshida was placed on the injured list with a left hamstring strain. He is batting .274 with five home runs and 28 RBIs this season.
Where can fans watch the game?
The game will be available on NESN and Channel 38, with radio coverage on WEEI-FM 93.7.
