Sunday night at 7:20 p.m. ET, the Boston Red Sox will host the Los Angeles Dodgers in the final game of a three‑game series that could swing the early‑season narrative for both clubs. The Red Sox arrive with a 21‑4 finish in July, the best month in franchise history, and have carried that momentum into August with a 3‑2 win in the opener, positioning them to complete a sweep.
A Pitching Duel to Watch
The Dodgers have reinforced their rotation by acquiring left‑hander Tarik Skubal from the Detroit Tigers, adding depth to a staff that already boasts a league‑leading 113 wRC+ offense. Yet Los Angeles remains vulnerable to left‑handed pitching, a category that includes Boston’s emerging ace.
Jake Bennett has posted a 3.07 xERA and a 49.2% ground‑ball rate, numbers that suggest he could limit the Dodgers’ potent left‑handed hitters such as Shohei Ohtani, Freddie Freeman and Max Muncy. His 2.89 xFIP and eight straight starts allowing three or fewer earned runs underscore a consistency that could prove decisive.
Wilyer Abreu, batting third for Boston, brings a .335 xwOBA and a 12.2% barrel rate, with 48 of his 55 career homers coming against right‑handed pitchers. His power surge complements a lineup that has climbed to a 108 wRC+ since July, giving the Red Sox a potent threat in the middle of the order.
Los Angeles’ offense, while still among the most productive in baseball, struggles against left‑handed pitchers, posting a .325 wOBA and .166 ISO in that split. The Dodgers’ bullpen, ranked second in the league with a 2.78 xERA since July, will be tasked with preserving any lead, but a 14.3% HR/FB rate from starter Emmet Sheehan hints at possible regression that Boston could exploit.