The Cleveland Guardians travel to Fenway Park to face the Boston Red Sox on Tuesday, September 22, 2026, with first pitch scheduled for 6:45 PM ET. Left-hander Parker Messick gets the ball for Cleveland against Boston's Payton Tolle in what shapes up as a pitching matchup between two arms still carving out their place in a big-league rotation. With the regular season winding down, every game carries weight in the standings, and the Guardians will need a complete effort on the road to come away with a win in one of baseball's most demanding environments.

Probable Pitchers: Parker Messick vs. Payton Tolle

Parker Messick draws the start for Cleveland. The left-hander has been part of the Guardians' pitching plans this season, and a road start at Fenway Park — a hitter-friendly environment with a short left-field wall — will test his command and ability to work down in the zone. How Messick handles Boston's lineup early in the game could set the tone for the entire night.

Payton Tolle takes the mound for the Red Sox. Like Messick, Tolle is a name that the Guardians' lineup will need to prepare for carefully. Cleveland will want to work counts, put the ball in play, and not let an unfamiliar arm keep them off balance deep into the game.

Cleveland Guardians Starting Lineup at Boston

• 1. Steven Kwan, CF
• 2. José Ramírez, 3B
• 3. Chase DeLauter, RF
• 4. Jo Adell, DH
• 5. Angel Martínez, LF
• 6. David Fry, 1B
• 7. Travis Bazzana, 2B
• 8. Austin Hedges, C
• 9. Brayan Rocchio, SS

Boston Red Sox Starting Lineup

• 1. Roman Anthony, LF
• 2. Nick Sogard, 1B
• 3. Jahmai Jones, DH
• 4. Wilyer Abreu, RF
• 5. Adley Rutschman, C
• 6. Caleb Durbin, 3B
• 7. Andruw Monasterio, 2B
• 8. Isiah Kiner-Falefa, SS
• 9. Nate Eaton, CF

Keys to Watch for the Guardians

José Ramírez Setting the Table

Batting second behind Steven Kwan, Ramírez is Cleveland's engine. If Kwan gets on base and Ramírez drives him home early, the Guardians can put pressure on Tolle before he settles in. Ramírez at the plate in big spots is as reliable a constant as there is in this lineup.

Kwan and DeLauter Bookending the Top of the Order

Steven Kwan leading off gives Cleveland a patient, contact-oriented presence at the top. Chase DeLauter hitting third adds pop behind Ramírez. If those three click together, Boston will need Tolle to be sharp from the opening pitch.

Messick's Command on the Road

Fenway Park punishes pitchers who miss over the middle of the plate, particularly against right-handed hitters who can turn on a pitch toward the Green Monster. Messick will need to be precise. Walks and mistakes left up in the zone can get expensive in a hurry in this ballpark.

The Bottom of the Order

Bazzana, Hedges, and Rocchio hitting seventh through ninth means Cleveland needs production from the middle of the order to carry the load. But if the bottom third of the lineup can chip in a hit or a walk here and there, it keeps innings alive and relieves pressure on the top of the order to do all the work.

Prediction

This one could go either way given how little is known about either starter's current form. Cleveland's lineup has enough firepower from Ramírez on down to put runs on the board at Fenway, and Kwan's ability to get on base consistently gives the Guardians a real advantage at the top. The edge goes to whichever pitcher commands the strike zone more effectively. Lean slightly toward the Guardians, 4-3, if Messick can keep Boston's lineup off balance through five or six innings and the Cleveland bullpen holds the line late. Tune in on Guardians.TV Presented by Progressive, WTAM 1100, or WMMS 100.7 for the full call.