The Cleveland Guardians head to Fenway Park on Wednesday, September 23, 2026, for a 7:10 PM ET regular season showdown against the Boston Red Sox. Foster Griffin takes the ball for Cleveland against Boston's Sonny Gray in what shapes up as an intriguing late-September matchup. The game airs nationally on ESPN and ESPN App, with local radio coverage available on WTAM 1100 and WMMS 100.7 for Guardians fans back home.

Starting Pitchers: Foster Griffin vs. Sonny Gray

Griffin draws the start for Cleveland in what is a significant assignment at one of baseball's most storied venues. Facing a Red Sox lineup that carries genuine punch from top to bottom, Griffin will need to command the strike zone and keep Boston off the bases early. Fenway's left field wall is a threat for any right-handed hitter in that lineup, and Griffin cannot afford to leave pitches elevated.

On the other side, Sonny Gray is a veteran arm who knows how to navigate a lineup and change speeds. Gray's experience and ability to work deep into games puts pressure on the Guardians' offense to get to him early before he settles in. Cleveland hitters will need to work pitch counts and find ways to get into the Boston bullpen.

Boston Red Sox Lineup to Watch

The Red Sox are sending out a lineup with some recognizable names. Leadoff man Roman Anthony sets the table from left field, with Nick Sogard slotting into the two-hole at first base. The middle of the order features Wilyer Abreu in right field batting fourth and Adley Rutschman behind the plate at fifth — Rutschman is the kind of disciplined hitter who can change a game with one swing or a key walk. Ceddanne Rafaela patrols center field and bats sixth, while Trevor Story lines up at shortstop in the eight-spot.

Keys to the Game for Cleveland

• Griffin's command early: Fenway rewards mistakes. Griffin must establish his fastball and avoid falling behind hitters in the lineup's middle third.
• Getting to Gray: The Guardians need patient at-bats to drive up Gray's pitch count. Running him into the fifth and sixth innings and forcing the Boston bullpen into play is the blueprint.
• Handling the Fenway environment: Late September road games carry weight. Cleveland's composure and execution away from home will matter as much as anything else on the stat sheet.
• Silencing Rutschman: Boston's catcher is the kind of hitter who punishes pitchers who work too carefully. Griffin needs a clear plan of attack against him.

Prediction

This is a competitive spot for the Guardians. Griffin faces a real test at Fenway against a Red Sox lineup that is capable of doing damage in bunches. Gray is experienced enough to keep Cleveland off-balance if the Guardians don't get to him early. Expect a tight, low-scoring game that comes down to execution in the late innings. Cleveland has the pitching identity to stay in this one, but stealing a road win at Fenway in late September requires near-perfect baseball. Guardians 3, Red Sox 4 — a close loss that stings but shows Cleveland can compete on the road in a tough environment.