The Tampa Bay Rays close out their Sunday afternoon at Tropicana Field when they host the Boston Red Sox on September 20, 2026, with first pitch set for 1:40 PM ET. Griffin Jax takes the ball for Tampa Bay opposite Boston left-hander Patrick Sandoval. With the regular season winding down into its final weeks, every game in the standings carries real weight, and this AL East matchup between two franchises that know each other well is no exception. Catch it on Rays.TV locally or NESN if you're tuning in from New England.
Pitching Matchup: Griffin Jax vs. Patrick Sandoval
Griffin Jax gets the starting nod for the Rays. Jax has spent time in both starting and relief roles throughout his career, and his ability to generate weak contact and work through lineups efficiently will be tested against a Boston offense that never goes quietly. The Rays will need him to eat innings and keep the Red Sox off the board early if Tampa Bay wants to control the pace of this game.
On the other side, Patrick Sandoval toes the rubber for Boston. A left-handed starter with a diverse pitch mix, Sandoval presents a real challenge for any lineup. His ability to keep hitters off-balance with location and movement makes him someone the Rays' offense will need to be patient against, working counts and looking for mistakes rather than chasing early in at-bats.
Keys to Watch in Sunday's Rays-Red Sox Game
- Jax's Command: Keeping the Red Sox lineup from getting into favorable counts early is critical. Free passes will hurt against a Boston club that can do damage in bunches.
- Rays Offense vs. a Left-Hander: Tampa Bay's lineup construction against southpaws will be worth monitoring. Getting runners on base and manufacturing runs early could set the tone.
- Bullpen Depth: September rosters give both clubs options late. How each manager deploys his relief arms in the middle innings could swing the outcome.
- Home Crowd Energy: Tropicana Field late in the regular season can generate genuine energy when the Rays give fans something to cheer about. A fast start helps.
Prediction
This is a competitive, evenly matched Sunday afternoon game between two AL clubs that respect each other's ability to hurt you in different ways. Sandoval's stuff is legitimate, but the Rays at Tropicana Field with a full September roster and a crowd on their side is a tough environment for any visitor. Expect a tight, low-scoring affair that comes down to late-inning execution. Edge: Rays 4, Red Sox 3.
