The Miami Marlins return to loanDepot park on Wednesday, August 26, 2026, to host the Boston Red Sox in a 6:40 PM ET first pitch. Ryan Gusto gets the ball for Miami against veteran right-hander Sonny Gray for Boston. With the regular season in its final stretch, every game carries weight in the standings, and this home date gives the Marlins a chance to build in front of their South Florida crowd.

Pitching Matchup: Ryan Gusto vs. Sonny Gray

Gusto draws the start for the Marlins in what is a significant opportunity for the young arm. Details on his current season line are still coming into focus, but he will be leaning on the home environment at loanDepot park to keep Boston's lineup in check. Gray, meanwhile, is a proven veteran presence who commands the strike zone and makes hitters work. He is the kind of pitcher who keeps lineups off-balance with sequencing and experience, and the Marlins' bats will need to be disciplined and patient to generate traffic against him.

Miami Marlins Starting Lineup

• 1. Kyle Stowers — DH
• 2. Griffin Conine — 1B
• 3. Heriberto Hernández — LF
• 4. Xavier Edwards — 2B
• 5. Jakob Marsee — CF
• 6. Otto Lopez — SS
• 7. Owen Caissie — RF
• 8. Joe Mack — C
• 9. Javier Sanoja — 3B

Boston Red Sox Starting Lineup

• 1. Nick Sogard — 1B
• 2. Ceddanne Rafaela — CF
• 3. Wilyer Abreu — RF
• 4. Caleb Durbin — 3B
• 5. Mickey Gasper — DH
• 6. Andruw Monasterio — SS
• 7. Jarren Duran — LF
• 8. Anthony Seigler — 2B
• 9. Connor Wong — C

Keys to Watch for the Marlins

• Xavier Edwards in the four hole: Slotting Edwards fourth is a statement of trust in his on-base ability and contact skills. If he can drive runners in while keeping the line moving, the Miami offense has a real engine in the middle of the order.
• Heriberto Hernández hitting third: Hernández in the three spot means the Marlins expect him to produce in run-scoring situations. His at-bats against Gray will be a critical subplot of this game.
• Gusto's command early: If Gusto can limit the damage in the first two innings and keep Boston's lineup from establishing rhythm, Miami's bullpen depth becomes a genuine asset in the later innings.
• Jarren Duran down the lineup: Boston has Duran batting seventh, which may reflect a matchup or platoon decision. Do not let that spot in the order fool you — he is capable of doing damage and the Marlins' pitching staff needs to treat him accordingly.

Prediction

This is a winnable game for Miami at home. Gusto has the opportunity to make a statement start, and if the Marlins can get Gray into a pitch-count situation early and turn the game over to the bullpen with a lead, they are in good shape. The lineup construction puts genuine offensive threats in positions to produce. Give the edge to the team that controls the strike zone on both sides. Marlins 4, Red Sox 3.

Wednesday's game is available on Marlins.TV presented by Werner, Hoffman, Greig & Garcia and NESN on television. Radio coverage is on WQAM 104.3 FM, with Spanish-language broadcasts on WAQI 710 AM.