BOSTON (Interstat) — The Boston Red Sox look to extend their strong stretch when they host the Athletics on Friday night at Fenway Park. The game is scheduled for Aug. 7, 2026, with the forecast calling for 81 degrees and cloudy skies at first pitch. Boston enters with a 64-51 record, while the Athletics are 45-70 and riding an eight-game losing streak. The Red Sox took three of four from the Athletics in last week, winning 4-2 on Monday, losing 4-3 on Tuesday, then winning 4-2 in 10 innings Wednesday and 5-4 on Thursday. Catcher Brian Serven is a player to watch for the Athletics. In Thursday’s 5-6 loss at Cincinnati, Serven went 1 for 4 with a home run and two RBIs. He also homered and drove in two runs in the Athletics’ 4-3 win over Boston on July 28. Over his past five games, Serven has three hits in 12 at-bats with two homers and four RBIs. For Boston, catcher Connor Wong has been productive. In Thursday’s 12-11 win over the Chicago White Sox, Wong went 2 for 3 with a home run and two RBIs. He also homered against the Athletics on July 28, going 1 for 1. Anthony Seigler added three RBIs and Erik Miller tossed two scoreless innings with three strikeouts in that game. The Red Sox have been the hotter team, winning eight of their last nine. The Athletics have lost eight straight, with their most recent victories coming in that July 28 matchup against Boston. Numbers favor the home team. Interstat’s game simulator projects a 7-1 Red Sox victory, and its ELO system gives Boston a 72 percent probability to win. Boston is a -1.5 run-line favorite, and the over/under is set at 9. The Athletics’ offense has struggled during the skid, and Serven will need help at the plate. Boston’s lineup, meanwhile, has received contributions throughout the order, including from Wong behind the plate. After Friday’s game, the teams continue the series Saturday and Sunday at Fenway Park. The Red Sox then travel to Toronto for four games, followed by a three-game series in Pittsburgh. The Athletics return home to host Tampa Bay for three games beginning Monday.