San Francisco Giants vs Boston Red Sox Picks and Prediction for Sunday August 23 2026

The San Francisco Giants visit the Boston Red Sox at Fenway Park on Sunday, with first pitch at 3:15 PM ET. San Francisco is 52-76, fourth in the NL West and 25.5 games behind Los Angeles. The Giants are also well outside the National League Wild Card race and have lost four of their last five, including Friday’s 6-4 defeat to Boston. The Red Sox are 69-59, third in the AL East and seven games behind Tampa Bay while holding an AL Wild Card position. Boston has won three of its last four. Cash in big with our free MLB picks.

San Francisco Giants Look to Reverse Recent Slide

San Francisco has struggled through its recent schedule, dropping four of five while allowing 32 runs. The Giants lost 13-7 to Colorado before going 1-2 in Cleveland and then falling 6-4 in Friday’s series opener at Fenway Park. San Francisco is batting .247 with a .305 on-base percentage and .405 slugging percentage. The Giants have scored 517 runs and hit 141 home runs, but their 23-43 road record has been a major problem throughout the season.

Luis Arraez leads San Francisco with a .324 batting average, .360 on-base percentage and 136 hits. Rafael Devers supplies the lineup’s biggest power threat with 26 home runs and 70 RBI, while Casey Schmitt has added 21 homers and 55 RBI. San Francisco’s pitching staff has a 4.34 ERA and 1.36 WHIP while opponents are batting .247. The Giants need improvement on the mound after allowing at least six runs in three of their last five games.

Injuries: Jesus Rodriguez (10-Day IL), Marcelo Mayer (10-Day IL), Matt Gage (60-Day IL), Keaton Winn (15-Day IL), Joel Peguero (60-Day IL).

Boston Red Sox Look to Continue Strong Offensive Form

Boston has won three of its last four and continues to produce runs at a high rate. The Red Sox have scored 39 times across their last five games, including 11 and nine in consecutive victories over Arizona. Boston followed a 7-6 extra-inning loss to the Diamondbacks by scoring six in Friday’s win over San Francisco. The Red Sox are batting .250 with a .324 on-base percentage and .405 slugging percentage while producing 575 runs and 131 home runs.

Willson Contreras leads Boston with 26 home runs and 78 RBI while batting .285 with a .937 OPS. Ceddanne Rafaela is also hitting .285 and has 16 home runs, 64 RBI and 16 stolen bases. Wilyer Abreu adds another power option with 22 homers and 68 RBI. Boston’s pitching staff ranks third in MLB with a 3.52 ERA and owns a 1.22 WHIP while holding opposing hitters to a .239 batting average.

Injuries: Trevor Story (60-Day IL), Isiah Kiner-Falefa (60-Day IL), Garrett Whitlock (15-Day IL), Johan Oviedo (60-Day IL), Roman Anthony (60-Day IL).

Pitching Matchup

San Francisco Giants – Carson Whisenhunt

Whisenhunt is 3-4 with a 7.03 ERA and 1.84 WHIP across 32 innings. The left-hander has allowed 39 hits, 20 walks and five home runs while striking out 23. Whisenhunt has struggled to limit baserunners, with 59 combined hits and walks contributing to the high ERA and WHIP through his limited workload.

Boston Red Sox – Jake Bennett

Bennett is 7-6 with a 3.46 ERA and 1.07 WHIP through 80.2 innings. The left-hander has allowed 69 hits, 17 walks and six home runs while recording 61 strikeouts. Bennett has allowed fewer than one hit per inning and has kept his walk total low, resulting in a WHIP well below Whisenhunt’s mark.

San Francisco Giants vs Boston Red Sox Game Pick

• Boston Red Sox

Boston gets the selection with a clear advantage in starting pitching and much stronger recent offensive production. Bennett enters with a 3.46 ERA and 1.07 WHIP, while Whisenhunt has struggled to a 7.03 ERA and 1.84 WHIP. The Red Sox have scored 39 runs across their last five games and at least six in four straight. San Francisco is also only 23-43 away from home. Boston’s stronger pitching staff and productive lineup make the Red Sox the play at Fenway Park Sunday.

San Francisco Giants vs Boston Red Sox Over/Under Pick

• Over

A higher-scoring result gets the call with Boston’s lineup producing consistently and Whisenhunt struggling to prevent baserunners. The Red Sox have scored at least six runs in four consecutive games and 39 total across their last five. Whisenhunt has surrendered 39 hits and 20 walks in only 32 innings while posting a 7.03 ERA. San Francisco has also scored 11 runs over its last two games, including four Friday at Fenway. Boston could do most of the damage, making the over the play Sunday.