The Boston Red Sox head to Los Angeles for a Sunday night showdown against the Dodgers, with first pitch scheduled for 7:20 PM ET at UNIQLO Field at Dodger Stadium. Jake Bennett gets the ball for Boston against Dodgers right-hander Emmet Sheehan in what shapes up as a genuine test for a Red Sox club navigating the back half of the 2026 season. The Dodgers are rolling out one of the deepest lineups in baseball, and this is exactly the kind of game that reveals what this Sox roster is made of. Catch it on NBC/Peacock or listen on WEEI 93.7.

Pitching Matchup: Jake Bennett vs. Emmet Sheehan

Bennett draws a tough assignment in this one. Taking the mound on the road against a loaded Dodgers lineup is about as difficult a situation as a starting pitcher faces, and how Bennett handles the top of that order will set the tone early. Sheehan, meanwhile, presents a real challenge for Boston's offense. Both pitchers are operating without the kind of detailed statistical context that would let us project a clear edge either way, so the performance itself will do the talking Sunday night.

Boston Red Sox Lineup

• Nick Sogard — 2B
• Ceddanne Rafaela — CF
• Wilyer Abreu — RF
• Willson Contreras — 1B
• Masataka Yoshida — DH
• Caleb Durbin — 3B
• Andruw Monasterio — SS
• Jarren Duran — LF
• Carlos Narváez — C

Los Angeles Dodgers Lineup

• Shohei Ohtani — DH
• Andy Pages — CF
• Tommy Edman — 2B
• Freddie Freeman — 1B
• Mookie Betts — SS
• Kyle Tucker — RF
• Teoscar Hernández — LF
• Max Muncy — 3B
• Dalton Rushing — C

Keys to Watch for the Red Sox

Containing the Dodgers' Top of the Order

That Dodgers lineup is legitimately imposing from top to bottom, and it starts with Shohei Ohtani leading off. When you have Ohtani at the top followed by Freddie Freeman and Mookie Betts — yes, the same Mookie Betts who spent seven seasons in Boston — getting through the first few innings without damage is a real priority for Bennett. The former Red Sox fan favorite is now a fixture in the heart of the LA order, and there will be plenty of emotions on both sides when he steps in against a Boston arm.

Yoshida and Contreras Need to Produce

Masataka Yoshida hitting fifth and Willson Contreras anchoring the cleanup spot gives the Red Sox a legitimate middle-of-the-order presence. If this offense is going to generate enough runs to win at Dodger Stadium, those two need to come through in key situations. Yoshida in particular is at his best when he's working counts and using all fields — exactly the approach that can neutralize a talented arm like Sheehan.

Rafaela's Role at the Top

Ceddanne Rafaela batting second gives Boston speed and athleticism early in the lineup. His ability to put the ball in play and make things happen on the bases can change the dynamic of an inning quickly. If he and Sogard can get on base ahead of Abreu and Contreras, this lineup has the potential to do real damage.

Prediction

This is a difficult spot for the Red Sox. The Dodgers are at home, their lineup is stacked, and Sunday night national broadcasts tend to bring out the best in the home club. That said, Boston has enough in the middle of their order to stay in this game if Bennett can give them five or six quality innings. Expect a competitive game that could go either way, but the edge goes to Los Angeles. Dodgers 5, Red Sox 3.