Arizona Diamondbacks vs Boston Red Sox Picks and Predictions September 5th 2025

Red Sox vs Diamondbacks Picks and Predictions September 5th 2025

Friday’s showdown between the Boston Red Sox and the Arizona Diamondbacks isn’t just another late-season matchup—it’s a crucial moment for both teams fighting for playoff survival. On the hill, it’s rookie Payton Tolle for the Sox and former Boston starter Eduardo Rodriguez for Arizona. Whether you’re a fan or looking for solid picks, this is a game worth diving into.

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Tolle’s Next Big Opportunity

The Red Sox are betting on youth with Payton Tolle making just his second major league start. His first? A solid performance: 5 1/3 innings with only two runs allowed against Pittsburgh. Though Boston lost that game 4-2, Tolle impressed fans and coaches alike.

Manager Alex Cora is clearly playing the long game with his young pitcher, noting Tolle isn’t in a normal rotation and will be closely managed down the stretch.

Tolle, Boston’s second-round pick in the 2024 draft, has logged 97 innings across 21 appearances in his debut season. Now, with a potential playoff berth on the line, he’s being asked to deliver under pressure.

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Boston’s Postseason Push

At 78-63, the Red Sox are trying to lock in their spot in the postseason. They’re currently sitting 3.5 games behind the Blue Jays in the AL East and holding a 4.5-game cushion over the Mariners in the Wild Card standings.

Key Injuries to Watch

The Red Sox lineup took a hit this week. Rookie Roman Anthony landed on the injured list after feeling a sharp twinge during a swing. An MRI confirmed a left oblique strain that’s expected to sideline him for a month. The team is already without outfielder Wilyer Abreu, who’s been out since mid-August with a calf strain.

Despite the injuries, Boston remains competitive. For full player updates, check out the Boston Red Sox team profile.

Diamondbacks Still in the Fight

The Arizona Diamondbacks aren’t out of the postseason race just yet. At 70-71, they’re 5.5 games behind the Mets for the final NL Wild Card spot. There’s still time, but the clock is ticking, and wins are more valuable than ever.

Rodriguez Returns to Face Old Friends

Eduardo Rodriguez will toe the rubber against his former team, and he’s coming off one of his best starts of the season—six scoreless innings against the Dodgers. That performance helped Arizona stay competitive in a 6-1 win.

Rodriguez has struggled historically against Boston, though. In two career starts, he’s 0-2 with an ERA north of 8.00. Still, he’s got the stuff to quiet any lineup when he’s on.

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Head-to-Head Matchups That Matter

Some Red Sox hitters have had success against Rodriguez, and those trends could matter for bettors.

The table suggests Boston may have an edge in the batter’s box, especially early in the game.

Red Sox Lineup Overview

Here’s a snapshot of Boston’s active roster going into this series opener:

Full team breakdowns are always available on the Red Sox team page.

Who Has the Edge?

With Boston gaining momentum and Arizona dealing with a key injury to Lourdes Gurriel Jr., this game could swing in the Sox’s favor. Tolle looked composed in his debut, and Rodriguez’s poor track record against Boston can’t be ignored.

Pick: Red Sox ML
Prediction: Red Sox 5, Diamondbacks 3

For more insights and betting strategies, explore the full MLB expert betting guide.

Explore the Teams

Dig deeper into both franchises and other MLB teams:

• Boston Red Sox
• Arizona Diamondbacks
• Full MLB Teams List

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