The Boston Red Sox close out their Labor Day weekend at Fenway Park on Monday, September 7, hosting the Los Angeles Angels in a 1:35 PM ET afternoon affair. Grayson Rodriguez takes the ball for Los Angeles, while Boston's starter remains unannounced. With the regular season winding down and every game carrying weight in the standings, a holiday crowd at Fenway should be treated to a compelling late-summer matchup. Catch it on NESN locally or tune in on WEEI 93.7 FM.

Pitching Matchup: Grayson Rodriguez Takes the Mound for Los Angeles

The Angels hand the ball to Grayson Rodriguez, a right-hander who has drawn attention throughout the league for his stuff. Specific ERA and won-loss figures for Rodriguez in this context were not available at time of publication, but he brings legitimate arm talent to Fenway — the kind that deserves the Red Sox lineup's full attention from the first pitch. Boston's probable starter had not been announced at the time of this preview, which bears watching as game time approaches.

Boston Red Sox Lineup for September 7

Manager has set a lineup that puts Roman Anthony at the top in the DH spot, giving the young hitter a prominent role to open the game. Mickey Gasper slots in at first base hitting second, followed by catcher Adley Rutschman batting third. Wilyer Abreu gets the cleanup assignment in right field, with Trevor Story hitting fifth at shortstop.

• 1. Roman Anthony — DH
• 2. Mickey Gasper — 1B
• 3. Adley Rutschman — C
• 4. Wilyer Abreu — RF
• 5. Trevor Story — SS
• 6. Caleb Durbin — 3B
• 7. Jarren Duran — LF
• 8. Isiah Kiner-Falefa — 2B
• 9. Eli White — CF

Caleb Durbin at third base and Jarren Duran in left round out a middle-of-the-order group that needs to do damage against a pitcher in Rodriguez's mold. Isiah Kiner-Falefa at second and Eli White in center fill out the bottom of the order.

Keys to Watch at Fenway Park

How the Sox Handle Rodriguez

Rodriguez is the story on the pitching side today. Boston's lineup will need to work counts and find holes early. Rutschman's ability to drive pitches and Anthony's willingness to grind at-bats at the top of the order will be telling indicators of how this game unfolds.

The Unknown Boston Starter

The fact that Boston's starter is TBD is the single biggest question mark heading into first pitch. Whoever takes the mound at Fenway will set the tone against an Angels lineup the Sox need to contain. Keep an eye on any pregame announcement.

Duran's Production from the Seven Hole

Jarren Duran batting seventh is a lineup construction worth watching. His presence there gives the Sox a legitimate threat late in the order, and how he performs could swing late-inning momentum in a tight game.

Prediction

This one hinges almost entirely on who Boston hands the ball to and how that pitcher fares against Los Angeles early. Rodriguez gives the Angels a real chance to steal this one at Fenway, but the Sox lineup — anchored by Rutschman, Anthony, and Abreu — has enough firepower to make Rodriguez work. Give the edge to the home team in a close, low-scoring game. Red Sox 4, Angels 3.