Red Sox vs. Padres: Series Preview, Injuries, Bold Prediction

One of the best things about baseball is the fact that there are so many games each season.

It's a 162-game marathon each regular season. That doesn't include Spring Training, which has its fair share of games, and the playoffs, of course. There are going to be times when you see teams win five games in a row. But there are also times when you will see a team lose five games in a row. When you play this many games, there will be struggles at some point along the way.

For the Boston Red Sox, the struggles came early. Boston won its first game of the season, but has dropped five games since. Fortunately, the Red Sox had a much-needed day off on Thursday to regroup before the club's home opener on Friday at Fenway Park against the San Diego Padres.

Boston will face off against the Padres on Friday afternoon, followed by two more contests on Saturday and Sunday. Let's preview the three-game set.

Pitching Probables

Boston Red Sox pitcher Sonny Gray (54) delivers a pitch in the third inning between the Cincinnati Reds and Boston Red Sox at Great American Ball Park in Cincinnati on Saturday, March 28, 2026. | Albert Cesare/The Enquirer / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images

Friday: Sonny Gray (BOS) vs. Michael King (SD)

Saturday: Connelly Early (BOS) vs. Randy Vásquez (SD)

Sunday: Ranger Suárez (BOS) vs. Walker Buehler (SD)

First pitch on Friday is scheduled for 2:10 p.m. ET, followed by first pitch at 4:10 p.m. ET on Saturday and 1:35 p.m. ET on Sunday. Each matchup is going to be interesting, but Sunday's between Suárez and Buehler arguably will be the most interesting. Suárez struggled in his first start in a Boston jersey and Buehler was in a similar boat last year. The Red Sox moved on from Buehler and he eventually landed with the Philadelphia Phillies and then signed with the Padres this past offseason. Now, he will return to Fenway Park to face his old team.

Injuries

Apr 20, 2025; Boston, Massachusetts, USA; Boston Red Sox first baseman Triston Casas (36) makes a catch for an out against the Chicago White Sox during the sixth inning at Fenway Park. Mandatory Credit: Eric Canha-Imagn Images | Eric Canha-Imagn Images

For Boston, there isn't anything new to report that will impact this series. The biggest injury news of the week for Boston was the fact that Triston Casas suffered a setback in his recovery due to sore ribs and has been shut down for the time being. On the bright side, Patrick Sandoval is set to begin a rehab assignment on Sunday with Double-A Portland. So, again, no new injuries popping up that will impact this weekend's series.

Where Both Teams Are

Feb 22, 2026; Fort Myers, Florida, USA; Boston Red Sox manager Alex Cora (13) looks on during the first inning against the Toronto Blue Jays at JetBlue Park at Fenway South. Mandatory Credit: Kim Klement Neitzel-Imagn Images | Kim Klement Neitzel-Imagn Images

Boston enters this series riding a five-game losing streak, including on Wednesday with Garrett Crochet on the mound against the Houston Astros. The Red Sox are in last place in the American League East and are tied with the Athletics and White Sox for the worst record in the AL.

San Diego is 2-4 on the season and is tied for last place in the National League West. Unlike Boston, the Padres are coming into the series coming off a win.

Bold Prediction

Mar 26, 2026; Cincinnati, Ohio, USA; Boston Red Sox left fielder Roman Anthony (19) scores on a RBI single hit by designated hitter Jarren Duran (not pictured) in the ninth inning against the Cincinnati Reds at Great American Ball Park. Mandatory Credit: Katie Stratman-Imagn Images | Katie Stratman-Imagn Images

Boston not only wins two of the three games, but Roman Anthony blasts two homers.