In a crucial Sunday afternoon matchup, the San Diego Padres and Boston Red Sox will face off to conclude their three-game weekend series, each determined to clinch their inaugural series victory of the season. With both teams seeking improved performances from their recently acquired starting pitchers, the anticipation builds as they strive to gain an early advantage in the standings.
Saturday's game saw the Padres emerge victorious with a narrow 3-2 win, thanks to Ramon Laureano's decisive two-out RBI single in the ninth inning. This win sets the stage for a compelling rubber match. The Padres will send Walker Buehler to the mound for his second start of the season. Buehler, who began the previous season with the Red Sox before his release, now aims to find his form with his new club. On the opposing side, the Red Sox will counter with left-hander Ranger Suarez, who is also looking for a rebound performance.
Red Sox manager Alex Cora acknowledged Laureano's impactful play, stating that the team needs to refocus for Sunday's game to secure the series win. Despite the Padres' collective batting average being among the lowest in the National League, Laureano has been a standout performer, boasting a .308 average and reaching base safely in six of his first seven games. Padres manager Craig Stammen praised Laureano's strong start, indicating that he will likely see more playing time at the top of the batting order.
Buehler, a two-time World Series champion with the Los Angeles Dodgers, signed a free-agent contract in February. His Padres debut on Monday against the San Francisco Giants saw him yield three runs on five hits over four innings. Stammen expressed optimism about Buehler's potential to return to his former All-Star level, hoping he will become a formidable opponent for other teams, much like he once was against the Padres. Buehler's sole career encounter with the Red Sox was during Game 3 of the 2018 World Series, where he pitched seven scoreless innings in an 18-inning marathon.
The Red Sox had an opportunity to win the series on Saturday, holding a one-run lead heading into the ninth inning with Aroldis Chapman on the mound. However, they ultimately fell, marking their major league-worst 2-6 record, a start not seen since 2019. This loss also extended their streak to three one-run defeats this season. Cora's offense has also faced difficulties, scoring two or fewer runs in four of their eight games and going hitless in five at-bats with runners in scoring position on Saturday. Cora emphasized the importance of capitalizing on advantageous counts and passing the baton to teammates. Despite the loss, the Red Sox outhit the Padres 8-7, with Roman Anthony and Ceddanne Rafaela each contributing two hits.
Suarez hopes to deliver a stronger outing in his first appearance at Fenway Park as a Red Sox player. In his last start against the Houston Astros, he surrendered four runs, including two home runs, in 4 1/3 innings. Despite this, Suarez expressed confidence in his physical condition and commitment to improving in his next start. With a career 3-1 record and a 2.39 ERA in eight appearances against the Padres, Suarez comes off consecutive seasons with double-digit wins, having recorded a career-high 151 strikeouts in 157 1/3 innings in 2025 with the Philadelphia Phillies.
Both teams are eager to establish momentum early in the season, making this Sunday's series finale a critical game for setting the tone. The performances of Buehler and Suarez will be central to their respective teams' chances, as each aims to secure that elusive first series win and build confidence for the games ahead.
