Boston Red Sox vs Athletics

Boston Red Sox at Athletics (2026-07-27). Payton Tolle vs Jack Perkins at Sutter Health Park.

Starters — Payton Tolle enters with a 3.31 ERA, 1.10 WHIP, and 89.2 innings, backed by 9.64 K/9, 2.61 BB/9, and 0.90 HR/9. His last three starts were 5.2 IP, 4 ER, 9 K, 1 BB; 3.2 IP, 1 ER, 7 K, 1 BB; and 6.0 IP, 0 ER, 6 K, 1 BB. The strikeout rate remains strong, but the listed trend is down after allowing four earned runs in his most recent outing. Jack Perkins has a 6.75 ERA, 1.42 WHIP, and 62.2 innings with 10.91 K/9, 3.45 BB/9, and 1.58 HR/9. His last three starts were 5.0 IP, 3 ER, 4 K, 1 BB; 3.0 IP, 3 ER, 2 K, 2 BB; and 3.2 IP, 7 ER, 8 K, 4 BB. The swing-and-miss ability is evident, but the trend is also down due to inconsistent command and elevated home run damage.

Teams — Boston carries a .706 OPS and 438 runs scored, with a staff 3.56 ERA and 1.23 WHIP. The Red Sox are also 8-2 over their last 10 games, which supports the view of a club getting better results on both sides. The Athletics have a slightly higher .727 OPS and 468 runs scored, so the lineup has been productive overall. The issue has been prevention, as the team owns a 5.35 ERA and 1.49 WHIP, and the recent 3-7 run over the last 10 games points to weaker overall form.