Boston Red Sox vs Los Angeles Dodgers Picks and Prediction for Sunday August 2 2026

The Boston Red Sox and Los Angeles Dodgers conclude their three-game interleague series Sunday night at UNIQLO Field at Dodger Stadium in Los Angeles, California. First pitch is scheduled for 7:20 p.m. ET, with national coverage on NBC and Peacock. At the time of this writing the lines were not released. For additional betting analysis across Sunday’s schedule, check out our free MLB picks.

Starting Pitchers

Boston is scheduled to start Jake Bennett, who enters with a 6-4 record, a 2.74 ERA and a 0.97 WHIP across 65.2 innings. Bennett has allowed 53 hits and five home runs while recording 46 strikeouts against only 11 walks. Los Angeles counters with Emmet Sheehan, who is 4-7 with a 4.95 ERA and a 1.25 WHIP over 92.2 innings. Sheehan has registered 104 strikeouts but has also surrendered 87 hits, 29 walks and 17 home runs. Bennett owns the substantially stronger ERA and WHIP, giving Boston a notable starting-pitching advantage.

Boston Brings Its Improved Form into the Finale

The Red Sox entered Saturday with a 58-51 overall record and a 33-22 mark away from home. Boston had won seven of its previous ten games after taking Friday’s series opener 9-4. The Red Sox overcame a 4-3 deficit by scoring five times in the seventh inning, turning a competitive game into a comfortable victory.

Boston entered Saturday batting .245 with 890 hits, 105 home runs and 463 runs. The Red Sox carried a .316 on-base percentage and a .394 slugging percentage. Those figures trail Los Angeles in every major offensive category, but Boston showed Friday that it can produce a substantial scoring performance by creating pressure throughout the lineup.

Bennett represents Boston’s clearest advantage Sunday. His 0.97 WHIP indicates that he has consistently limited baserunners, while his 11 walks through 65.2 innings demonstrate excellent control. The Red Sox need him to challenge the Los Angeles lineup without providing additional opportunities through free passes. If Bennett delivers another controlled outing, Boston should have a realistic chance to win the series finale as a modest underdog.

Los Angeles Looks to Answer Behind Its Powerful Lineup

The Dodgers entered Saturday with a 69-41 overall record and remained in first place in the National League West. Los Angeles had lost three consecutive games after Friday’s 9-4 defeat. The Dodgers briefly moved ahead with a two-run home run in the sixth inning but surrendered six unanswered runs over the final three frames.

Los Angeles entered Saturday batting .262 with 970 hits, 142 home runs and 566 runs. The Dodgers also owned a .341 on-base percentage and a slugging percentage above .430. They had scored 103 more runs and hit 37 more home runs than Boston, establishing a clear season-long offensive advantage.

The concern for Los Angeles is whether Sheehan can prevent Boston from controlling the early innings. His 4.95 ERA and 17 home runs allowed create a difficult matchup against a Red Sox lineup carrying momentum from Friday’s nine-run performance. Sheehan’s 104 strikeouts provide a way to escape trouble, but he must limit hard contact and avoid falling behind. The Dodgers have enough offense to overcome a modest deficit, although repeatedly asking the lineup to compensate for unstable pitching is a dangerous approach.

Boston Red Sox vs Los Angeles Dodgers Picks and Prediction

Moneyline Pick:

• Boston Red Sox

I am taking Boston on the moneyline. The Dodgers have the stronger record and the considerably more productive offense, but Bennett provides the most convincing pitching advantage in this matchup. His 2.74 ERA and 0.97 WHIP compare extremely favorably with Sheehan’s 4.95 ERA and 1.25 WHIP.

Boston also entered Saturday having won seven of ten and demonstrated its offensive potential during Friday’s 9-4 victory. The Red Sox are the more attractive option at plus money because the market appears to place greater emphasis on Los Angeles’ overall record than Sunday’s starting-pitching matchup. Boston remains playable around +100 or better.

Run Line Pick:

• Boston Red Sox +1.5

Boston plus 1.5 runs is the preferred run-line position. Bennett has allowed only 64 baserunners through 65.2 innings when combining his hits and walks, giving the Red Sox an excellent chance to remain competitive through the opening portion of the game.

Los Angeles owns enough power to create separation quickly, but Sheehan’s season-long numbers make it difficult to trust the Dodgers at -1.5. Boston has the better starter, a winning road record and strong recent form. Taking the additional run offers protection if the Dodgers respond with a narrow home victory.

Total Pick:

• Over 9

I lean toward the over at 9 runs. Los Angeles entered the weekend with one of the stronger offensive profiles in baseball, while Boston scored nine runs in Friday’s opener. Sheehan’s 4.95 ERA and 17 home runs allowed give the Red Sox another favorable opportunity to contribute meaningful offense.

Bennett’s 2.74 ERA creates the strongest argument for the under, but facing a Dodgers lineup batting .262 with 142 home runs represents a significant challenge. Los Angeles should eventually create scoring opportunities, while Boston is capable of doing considerable damage against Sheehan. I would play Over 9 but would become more cautious if the market rises to 9.5.

Prediction: Boston Red Sox 6, Los Angeles Dodgers 5

This preview was written prior to game play on Saturday.