Red Sox vs. Dodgers: Game 1 prediction, lineup, odds, injuries, and picks

A depleted LA Dodgers (60-43, 1st in NL West) offense pulled off an improbable 4-3 win in their series finale against the Minnesota Twins on Wednesday. Barring the three series sweeps to the Milwaukee Brewers and Houston Astros, the defending champions are unbeaten in a series since June 10.

The Boston Red Sox's (55-49, 3rd in AL East) strong run, with 12 wins in 13 games, has been foiled by series losses to contender teams, the Chicago Cubs and, most recently, the Philadelphia Phillies. Every game is crucial for Boston as it sits in the third American League wildcard spot.

Red Sox vs. Dodgers Game 1: Betting Odds & Weather

Time: Friday, 7:10 p.m. EDT, Fenway Park.

Money Line: Dodgers (-125), Red Sox (+105)

Total Runs: Over/Under 10.5 runs

Weather: 85 degrees F, 34% precipitation, Wind 7 mph out

Red Sox vs. Dodgers Game 1: Injuries & Lineups

Injuries

Red Sox

Marcelo Mayer: day-to-day (wrist),
Hunter Dobbins: 15-Day IL (ACL),
Nick Burdi: 60-Day IL (knee),
Liam Hendriks: 60-Day IL (hip),
Zack Kelly: 15-Day IL (oblique),
Justin Slaten: 60-Day IL (shoulder),
Luis Guerrero: 15-Day IL (elbow),
Josh Winckowski: 60-Day IL (elbow),
Triston Casas: 60-Day IL (knee),
Kutter Crawford: 60-Day IL (knee),
Tanner Houck: 15-Day IL (flexor),
Patrick Sandoval: 60-Day IL (elbow)

Dodgers

Ben Casparius: day-to-day (calf),
Tanner Scott: 15-Day IL (elbow),
Michael Kopech: 60-Day IL (knee),
Kike Hernandez: 10-Day IL (elbow),
Max Muncy: 10-Day IL (knee),
Roki Sasaki: 60-Day IL (shoulder),
Tony Gonsolin: 60-Day IL (elbow),
Evan Phillips: 60-Day IL (forearm),
Blake Snell: 60-Day IL (shoulder),
Blake Treinen: 60-Day IL (forearm),
Kyle Hurt: 60-Day IL (elbow),
Michael Grove: 60-Day IL (shoulder),
Brusdar Graterol: 60-Day IL (shoulder),
River Ryan: 60-Day IL (elbow),
Gavin Stone: 60-Day IL (shoulder)

Expected Lineups

Red Sox

LF Jarren Duran L
3B Alex Bregman R
DH R. Anthony L
SS Trevor Story R
RF Wilyer Abreu L
CF C. Rafaela R
2B M. Mayer L
C C. Narvaez R
1B Abraham Toro S

Dodgers

SS Mookie Betts R
DH S. Ohtani L
1B F. Freeman L
C Will Smith R
RF T. Hernandez R
CF Andy Pages R
LF M. Conforto L
3B Tommy Edman S
2B Hyeseong Kim L

Red Sox vs. Dodgers Game 1: Picks and Prediction

Both batting lineups have suffered in the last 10 games, with the Dodgers having a .216 collective batting average compared to the Red Sox's .199 average. Nevertheless, Shohei Ohtani will have a chance to set the Dodgers' record for most consecutive games with a homer, as he is currently at five.

Emmet Sheehan (1-1, 4.41 ERA) is set to battle Brayan Bello (6-4, 3.23 ERA) in the starter's battle, with both lineups expected to break their slump against them. The bullpen could be a deciding factor on Friday at Fenway Park.

Picks: Dodgers (-125), Over 10.5 runs

Prediction: Dodgers 6, Red Sox 5

About the author

Nikhil Parshy is a baseball and ice hockey journalist at Sportskeeda, and after starting out as a cricket reporter, he has been an analyst with SK since November 2022. His interest in the sports were piqued a few years back after watching highlights on YouTube and he has followed the game ever since.

The Chicago Cubs breaking the 108-year curse in 2016 to lift the World Series remains Nikhil's favorite baseball moment. Two-way phenom Shohei Ohtani has been his favorite player ever since he started following the game, while the LA Dodgers are his favorite team.

As a writer, Nikhil maintains a strong attention to detail and rigorously cross-checks information. He seeks to strike a balance in his writing such that the regular reader gains an insight into player profiles, while also keeping in mind that the non-regular reader is not put off by jargon and shallow analysis.

Nikhil is an avid public speaker, and when not writing about baseball, he regularly participates in debates and quizzes.

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Edited by R. Elahi

Red Sox vs. Dodgers: Game 1 prediction, lineup, odds, injuries, and picks - July 25, 2025

Red Sox vs. Dodgers Game 1: Betting Odds & Weather

Red Sox vs. Dodgers Game 1: Injuries & Lineups

Injuries

Red Sox

Dodgers

Expected Lineups

Red Sox

Dodgers

Red Sox vs. Dodgers Game 1: Picks and Prediction