The Red Sox got a much-needed day off on Thursday after playing 16 games in 16 days, but they will return to action Friday night when they open a three-game series with the Giants.
The game will mark the return of Rafael Devers to Fenway Park for the first time since he was traded to the Giants in June 2025. The three-time All-Star leads the Giants with 25 home runs and plays first base, something he balked at doing during his controversial final few months in Boston, a memory that could draw the ire of the Fenway faithful this weekend.
“I feel very happy going back over there,” Devers said, via the San Jose Mercury News. “I love the fans. ... I’m not concerned about the reception. I just know that they were very good to me.”
The Red Sox will send Sonny Gray to the mound for the opener. The righthander has not allowed a run in two of his last three starts.
The Giants will counter with righthander Logan Webb, who has allowed just two runs in 20 innings this month.
Lineups
GIANTS (52-75): Gilbert CF, Devers DH, Adames SS, Eldridge 1B, Lee RF, Basabe 2B. Hill LF, Cavanaugh C, Koss 3B
Pitching: RHP Logan Webb (8-7, 3.50 ERA)
RED SOX (68-59): Sogard 2B, Rafaela CF, Abreu RF, Contreras 1B, Rutschman C, Durbin 3B, Duran LF, Monasterio SS, Gasper DH
Pitching: RHP Sonny Gray (15-3, 2.65 ERA)
Time: 7:10 p.m.
TV, radio: NESN, WEEI-FM 93.7
Giants vs. Gray: Willy Adames 6-19, Rafael Devers 6-21, Bryce Eldridge 1-3, Drew Gilbert 0-4, Andrew Knizner 1-9, Christian Koss 0-2, Jung Hoo Lee 1-5
Red Sox vs. Webb: Wilyer Abreu 2-2, Willson Contreras 0-6, Jarren Duran 4-6, Caleb Durbin 2-5, Andruw Monasterio 0-2, Ceddanne Rafaela 0-2, Adley Rutschman 1-5, Anthony Seigler 1-2, Connor Wong 1-3
Stat of the day: The Giants have dropped eight straight road series.
Notes: Gray is 4-1 with a 3.16 ERA in nine starts vs. San Francisco. … Mickey Gasper has homered and recorded multiple RBIs in three consecutive games. … Jarren Duran has hit safely in eight of his last nine games, including each of his last five. … The Sox are 5-4 in extra-inning games after Wednesday’s 7-6 loss in 10 innings, including 3-2 at home. … Webb is 0-1 with a 5.63 ERA in three starts against the Red Sox. … The Giants have the third-worst record in baseball, ahead of only the Rockies and Athletics. … The Sox will send Patrick Sandoval to the mound on Saturday and Jake Bennett on Sunday. The Giants have Blake Tidwell lined up for Saturday, but have not announced a starter for Sunday.
Information from Field Level Media was used in this story.
Follow Andrew Mahoney @GlobeMahoney.