BOSTON — Padres bench coach Randy Knorr has implored rookie manager Craig Stammen not to second-guess himself. Must also be telling him to stick with what works.

For the second game in a row against a right-handed starter, Fernando Tatis Jr. is leading off on a drizzly, overcast home-opener for the Red Sox at Fenway Park.

First pitch is 11:10 a.m. Friday.

Good morning from Boston. pic.twitter.com/HMPD3fM7tR

— San Diego Padres (@Padres) April 3, 2026

The Padres scored a season-high seven runs on Wednesday after the switch from Jake Cronenworth (.482 OPS) to Tatis (.646 OPS) atop the order. Tatis had led off the first two games against left-handers before Stammen, using a Knorr lineup as a template, gave Cronenworth a crack at leading off against righties.

Tatis went 1-for-4 with a walk and an RBI. He is hitting .238/.360/.286 with two RBIs through six games.

Cronenworth went 1-for-3 with a walk and is hitting .180/.292/.190.

Cronenworth will hit eighth on Friday.

Shortstop Xander Bogaerts (.408 OPS) will bat second in his first game played at Fenway Park since signing with the Padres (2-4). He was on the injured list during the last trip in 2024.

Center fielder Jackson Merrill (.671 OPS) will bat third, followed by third baseman Manny Machado (.785 OPS) and left fielder Ramón Laureano (1.199 OPS), who is batting fifth for a second straight game.

Miguel Adujar (.397 OPS) is back in the lineup in the six-hole and at DH, followed by first baseman Gavin Sheets (.516 OPS).

Luis Campusano (.000 OPS) will bat ninth and catch Michael King for the second time this season. Campusano is still looking for his first hit in the majors since Aug. 31, 2024.

Read the Union-Tribune’s season preview here.

Here is how the Red Sox (1-5), who have lost five in a row, will line up for Game 1 of the series:

How we’re lining up for the home opener! pic.twitter.com/NHmGvf5uDs

— Red Sox (@RedSox) April 3, 2026

 

Friday’s pitching matchup

Padres RHP Michael King (0-0, 0.00 ERA)

Although he struggled with command, King allowed an unearned run on one hit, four walks and a hit batter in five-plus innings in his first start of the season. King struck out six. He has a 4.79 ERA in 35⅔ innings in his career against the Red Sox and allowed three runs in eight innings over two starts over the last two years with the Padres.

Here is how King has fared against current Red Sox:

Red Sox RHP Sonny Gray (0-0, 6.75 ERA)

The 36-year-old veteran allowed four runs (three earned) in four innings in his Red Sox debut. He struck out five against one walk. Gray has won all four of his career starts against the Padres (3.68 ERA), although he had run support behind last year’s effort (5 IP, 11 H, 7 R, 6 ER).

Here is how Gray has fared against current Padres: