Boston rides momentum into San Diego for a three-game set that could shape the postseason picture. The Red Sox face catching depth concerns after Carlos Narvaez exited with a knee issue, prompting Boston to claim Ali Sánchez off waivers from Toronto for depth. Narvaez, batting .248 with nine homers and 33 RBIs, is considered crucial to Boston’s run, and his return Friday or Saturday would be a big lift. Connor Wong has struggled, so Sánchez could become a relative factor in late-season lineups. The Padres present a stern test, and the weekend could determine whether Boston sustains its AL Wild Card lead or slips closer to Toronto.

Narvaez’s injury updates and the Sánchez addition signal Boston’s focus on health and depth as it pursues a return to the playoffs for the first time since 2021. The club’s playoff positioning remains strong, four games back of the AL East-leading Jays and still atop the Wild Card race. In the final stretch, Narvaez’s availability and Sanchez’s development will matter, particularly if Boston edges toward a cautious approach to preserve Narvaez for postseason gameplay. The saga adds a fantasy-friendly subplot: how Boston manages its catchers down the stretch could swing daily-value for managers rostering their lineup.

Meanwhile, San Diego is Opening Weekend’s opponent in a late-summer sprint. The three-game pace will test both teams’ depth and fatigue management as they chase an October berth, with the Red Sox’s hot streak and the Padres’ momentum providing a compelling fantasy and betting narrative.