Athletics vs Boston Red Sox Picks and Prediction for Sunday, August 9, 2026

The Athletics visit the Boston Red Sox on Sunday at 1:35 PM ET at Fenway Park. The Athletics are 45-71, fourth in the AL West and 14.5 games behind Houston. They have lost nine straight, including Friday’s 13-1 defeat in Boston. The Red Sox are 64-51, third in the AL East and five games behind Tampa Bay. Boston has won nine straight and has scored 51 runs over its last five games. The Red Sox lead the series 1-0 entering Saturday. Be a winner with our free MLB picks.

Athletics Trying to End Nine-Game Losing Streak

The Athletics are batting .243 with a .317 on-base percentage and .397 slugging percentage while scoring 499 runs. Shea Langeliers leads the club with a .263 average and 23 home runs, adding 51 RBIs and an .829 OPS. Tyler Soderstrom has 18 home runs and 53 RBIs with an .806 OPS. Nick Kurtz leads the Athletics with 69 RBIs and has 21 home runs, but he is currently on the 10-day injured list. The Athletics have 137 homers as a team.

Pitching has been the larger problem during a difficult season. The Athletics rank 29th in MLB with a 5.41 ERA and carry a 1.49 WHIP while opponents are batting .268. They have surrendered 181 home runs and 613 earned runs while issuing 460 walks. Those numbers are concerning against a Boston lineup that has scored at least eight runs in four of its last five games. The Athletics are 24-35 away from home and only 12-25 in day games.

Injuries: Zack Gelof (10-Day IL), Justin Sterner (15-Day IL), Nick Kurtz (10-Day IL), Denzel Clarke (60-Day IL), Brooks Kriske (60-Day IL).

Boston Red Sox Carry Nine-Game Winning Streak

Boston is batting .249 with 517 runs, 118 home runs, a .320 on-base percentage, and .404 slugging percentage. Ceddanne Rafaela leads the Red Sox with a .289 average and 125 hits while contributing 15 homers, 60 RBIs, and 16 stolen bases. Wilyer Abreu has 20 home runs and 62 RBIs with a .793 OPS. Willson Contreras leads Boston with 23 homers and 70 RBIs, although he is listed as day-to-day. Boston has scored 13, 12, 4, 14, and 8 runs in its last five games.

The Red Sox have a major advantage on the mound. Boston ranks third in MLB pitching with a 3.50 ERA and 1.23 WHIP, with opponents batting .240. The staff has recorded 979 strikeouts, 33 saves, 11 shutouts, and 47 quality starts. Boston held the Athletics to one run Friday and has allowed just 18 runs across its five-game winning streak shown in the supplied results. The Red Sox are 29-29 at Fenway Park and 21-24 in day games.

Injuries: Willson Contreras (Day-To-Day), Kutter Crawford (60-Day IL), Johan Oviedo (60-Day IL), Isiah Kiner-Falefa (10-Day IL), Adley Rutschman (10-Day IL).

Pitching Matchup

Athletics – J.T. Ginn

Ginn enters Sunday at 8-6 with a 3.51 ERA and 1.21 WHIP over 115.1 innings. The right-hander has allowed 89 hits and 13 home runs while striking out 105 and walking 51. Those numbers are considerably stronger than the Athletics’ overall pitching marks, giving the visitors their best path toward slowing Boston. The 51 walks remain a concern against a Red Sox lineup that has been producing runs in bunches during its winning streak.

Boston Red Sox – Patrick Sandoval

Sandoval is 1-0 with a 3.38 ERA through 24 innings. The left-hander has recorded 25 strikeouts but carries a 1.67 WHIP after allowing 30 hits and 10 walks. Sandoval has surrendered three home runs. His limited workload makes the WHIP worth watching, particularly against an Athletics lineup with several power threats. Boston’s strong overall pitching staff provides support behind Sandoval, with the Red Sox carrying a 3.50 team ERA and 1.23 WHIP.

Athletics vs Boston Red Sox Game Pick

• Boston Red Sox

Boston is the pick based on the large difference in current form and overall pitching. The Red Sox have won nine straight, while the Athletics have lost nine in a row and were beaten 13-1 in Friday’s opener. Boston also owns a 3.50 team ERA compared with the Athletics’ 5.41 mark. Ginn gives the Athletics a capable starter, but Boston has scored 51 runs over its last five games and has the stronger staff behind Sandoval. The Red Sox are the pick to extend their winning streak.

Athletics vs Boston Red Sox Over/Under Pick

•  Over

The over is the call because Boston’s recent scoring and the Athletics’ pitching problems create plenty of run potential. Boston has scored 51 runs across its last five games, reaching double figures three times, while the Athletics have a 5.41 team ERA, 1.49 WHIP, and 181 home runs allowed. Ginn’s 3.51 ERA could slow Boston early, but the Athletics’ staff behind him has struggled throughout the season. Sandoval’s 1.67 WHIP also gives the Athletics opportunities to contribute enough runs to help push the total over.