Venue: Fenway Park, Boston, MA
First Pitch: 1:35 p.m. ET (Monday, September 1)
Broadcast: NESN (Boston market) and CLEG/Bally Sports Great Lakes (Cleveland market); streaming options available via local rights holders.
Game Context
Boston opens a three-game Labor Day series against Cleveland. The Red Sox enter in stronger form with better season metrics (positive run differential and more productive offense), while the Guardians are trying to climb back into the Wild Card race after a recent slump. The clubs met earlier this season in Cleveland, where Boston took 2 of 3.
Probable Pitchers
- CLE: Parker Messick (LHP) — excellent MLB start: 1 run allowed over 13⅔ innings in his first two outings.
- BOS: Brayan Bello (RHP) — 2 runs (1 earned) across 13⅔ innings over his last two starts.
Form check: Messick has shown strong peripherals in a small sample, while Bello has strung together quality outings. Expect an early pitchers’ duel, with scoring likely hinging on RISP execution.
Probable Lineups
Cleveland Guardians
- Steven Kwan LF
- Daniel Schneemann 2B
- José Ramírez 3B
- Kyle Manzardo 1B
- Bo Naylor C
- Nolan Jones CF
- George Valera DH
- CJ Kayfus RF
- Brayan Rocchio SS
Boston Red Sox
- Roman Anthony RF
- Alex Bregman 3B
- Jarren Duran LF
- Trevor Story SS
- Nathaniel Lowe 1B
- Masataka Yoshida DH
- Romy Gonzalez 2B
- Ceddanne Rafaela CF
- Connor Wong C
The above reflects the official MLB Starting Lineups Today, subject to last-minute changes.
Key Trends & Notes
- Guardians: Offense has underperformed league average in 2025, but José Ramírez remains the centerpiece, with rookie Kyle Manzardo adding pop in the middle of the order. The key factor will be how deep Messick can pitch to protect the bullpen.
- Red Sox: Deeper lineup (Duran, Bregman, Lowe, Anthony), stronger bullpen/rotation by aggregate metrics, and they enter with momentum after snapping a rough home stretch.
Live Game / Box Score
For live stats, strike zone, and official box score, check the MLB Gameday page for this matchup.
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