Buehler, Suarez Seek Redemption in Padres-Red Sox Showdown

The Boston Red Sox and San Diego Padres will meet Sunday to wrap up their three-game series, with both starting pitchers aiming for improved performances. The Padres clinched a 3-2 victory on Saturday, decided by a late RBI single from Ramon Laureano.

San Diego will send Walker Buehler to the mound for his second start, a pitcher familiar to Boston. Buehler, who was released by the Red Sox in September of last year, will face Boston's own Ranger Suarez. Both teams are still striving for their first series win of the season.

Manager Alex Cora acknowledged the Padres' ability to secure Saturday's win and emphasized the need for the Red Sox to regroup. Despite a National League-worst hitting average entering Saturday, the Padres saw Ramon Laureano deliver a crucial hit, extending his strong start to the season.

Buehler, a former World Series champion with the Dodgers, made his Padres debut Monday, allowing three runs over four innings. The Padres hope he can regain his previous form as an All-Star caliber pitcher. His only previous start against the Red Sox was in Game 3 of the 2018 World Series.

The Red Sox fell to a major league-worst 2-6 after losing Saturday's game, marking their third one-run defeat this season. Their offense has also struggled, scoring two or fewer runs in four of their eight games. Suarez is preparing for his first Fenway Park start for Boston, aiming for a better result than his previous outing where he allowed four runs.