Red Sox vs Pirates: Lineups, TV, Preview & Key X-Factor (Aug 14)
Red Sox vs. Pirates Game Preview: August 14, 2026 — Everything You Need to Know
Welcome to the ballpark! Whether you’re a die-hard fan or just tuning in, this guide breaks down tonight’s matchup in simple terms. No confusing stats—just the good stuff.
Quick Game Snapshot
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Matchup | Boston Red Sox (65-56) at Pittsburgh Pirates (59-64) |
| First Pitch | 6:40 p.m. ET |
| Where | PNC Park, Pittsburgh |
| TV | NESN |
| Radio | WEEI-FM 93.7 |
| Starting Pitchers | LHP Jake Bennett (BOS) vs. RHP Bubba Chandler (PIT) |
Meet the Starting Pitchers
Boston Red Sox: Jake Bennett (Left-Handed)
- Record: 7 wins, 5 losses
- ERA: 3.17 (That’s really good—lower is better!)
- Last Time Out: Allowed 4 runs over 5⅓ innings in a loss to the Athletics
- Fun Fact: This is his first career start against the Pirates
Pittsburgh Pirates: Bubba Chandler (Right-Handed)
- Record: 5 wins, 8 losses
- ERA: 4.26
- Last Time Out: Threw 6 shutout innings (zero runs!) in a win over the Mets on Saturday
- Fun Fact: This is his first career appearance against the Red Sox
What is ERA?
Earned Run Average — the average number of runs a pitcher gives up per 9 innings. Think of it like a "runs allowed per game" score. Under 3.50 is excellent. Over 4.50 is a struggle.
Tonight’s Lineups (Who’s Batting & Where They Play)
Red Sox Batting Order
- Sogard — Second Base (2B)
- Yoshida — Designated Hitter (DH) (Hits only, doesn’t play defense)
- Rutschman — Catcher (C)
- Contreras — First Base (1B)
- Abreu — Right Field (RF)
- Durbin — Third Base (3B)
- Duran — Left Field (LF)
- Monasterio — Shortstop (SS)
- White — Center Field (CF)
Pirates Batting Order
- Gonzales — Third Base (3B)
- Simon — Designated Hitter (DH)
- Reynolds — Left Field (LF)
- Valdez — Right Field (RF)
- Lowe — Second Base (2B)
- Flores Jr. — First Base (1B)
- Magnum — Center Field (CF)
- Triolo — Shortstop (SS)
- Davis — Catcher (C)
Quick Position Cheat Sheet
- Infield: 1B, 2B, 3B, SS (close to the batter)
- Outfield: LF, CF, RF (deep in the grass)
- Battery: P (Pitcher) + C (Catcher)
- DH: Only hits — no glove needed!
Key Stats & Storylines
Red Sox (65-56) — Fighting to Stay Above .500
- Recent Struggles: Won only 6 of last 21 games — that’s a rough stretch!
- Good News: Avoided a sweep for the first time since mid-June (also vs. Toronto)
- Pitching Highlight: Reliever Tolle retired 17 straight batters in his longest MLB outing
“We needed a deep start, got a great deep start… He was awesome.” — Interim Manager Chad Tracy
Pirates (59-64) — Stuck in a Slide
- Series Slump: Lost 7 of 8 series since the All-Star break
- Below .500: That means more losses than wins overall
- Bright Spot: Chandler’s 6 shutout innings Saturday shows the rookie can deal
Head-to-Head History (This Season)
| Batter | vs. Chandler | vs. Bennett |
|---|---|---|
| Willson Contreras (BOS) | 0-for-1 | — |
| Caleb Durbin (BOS) | 0-for-2 | — |
| Any Pirates batter | — | Never faced Bennett |
Small sample alert! 1–2 at-bats don’t tell the whole story. But it’s all we’ve got.
How to Watch & Follow
- Turn on NESN at 6:40 p.m. for first pitch
- Listen on WEEI-FM 93.7 if you’re driving or prefer radio
- Check the Boston Globe for post-game recap by Amin Touri
- Track live stats on MLB.com or your favorite sports app
Summary
Tonight’s game features two young starters making their first-ever starts against each other’s teams. The Red Sox are scuffling but showed life avoiding a sweep. The Pirates are in a deep funk, losing almost every series since July. Chandler comes in hot (6 shutout innings last time), while Bennett looks to bounce back from a rough outing. First pitch at 6:40 p.m. on NESN — don’t miss it!
FAQ: Your Questions Answered
1. What does “below .500” mean?
It means a team has more losses than wins. .500 = exactly even (like 60-60). The Pirates are 59-64 — five games under.
2. Why does the DH not play defense?
The Designated Hitter only bats. It lets teams use a strong hitter who might not field well. Used in both leagues now.
3. What’s a “shutout inning”?
An inning where the pitcher allows zero runs. Chandler did this for six straight innings — very impressive!
4. Who is Chad Tracy?
He’s the interim manager of the Red Sox — filling in for the main manager (likely due to a firing or leave). “Interim” means temporary.
5. Why haven’t these batters faced these pitchers before?
Both Bennett and Chandler are relatively new to the majors. They haven’t pitched enough against these opponents yet. First time for everything!
Article compiled from Boston Globe preview by Amin Touri. Game data current as of August 14, 2026.