The Chicago White Sox and Boston Red Sox meet in the middle game of a three-game set between American League rivals at Fenway Park
Chicago White Sox at Boston Red Sox
Chicago has now won five in a row over Boston at Fenway Park with Monday night’s 7-3 victory and will be looking to win six straight in Beantown for the first time in 52 years. “Just a big win for the boys,” said White Sox starting pitcher Jake Peavy. “To come out and score seven off a guy like Jon Lester, to come back after a few tough days in Toronto against a team as hot as anybody in baseball says a lot about the character and makeup of this team.” The club is 10-2 overall in its last 12 games versus Boston and snapped a three-game losing streak with the series-opening win. The White Sox are 9-7 in their last 16 road games after going 4-11 in their previous 15. Chicago is 19-22 versus right-handed starters this season.
White Sox starter Phil Humber will be making his 12th appearance (10th start) of the season and the team has alternated wins and losses over his last four outings. Chicago picked up a 3-1 road victory in his last start, as the right-hander allowed a single run and six hits over 7 2/3 innings in a no-decision effort. Humber has registered a 2-1 mark and 3.09 ERA in seven road appearances (five starts), as opponents are hitting just .195 against him. He has done a great job in limiting right-handed hitters this season (.129 BAA), but will be facing a predominately left-handed lineup tonight (.240 BAA).
Boston had won 13 of 16 heading into Monday’s series opener, but opened its seven-day, six-game homestand in losing fashion. The Red Sox offense managed to score fewer than four runs for just the second time in nine games, but first baseman Adrian Gonzalez continues to feast on American League pitching. The former Padres star hit his 10th home run of the season in the first inning last night and has compiled 31 RBIs in May, most for a Boston player since David Ortiz knocked in 35 in July 2006. Speaking of Ortiz, he picked up a pair of hits to raise his average to .306, the highest mark he’s held at this point in the season since 2007. Boston is 19-19 in night games this season.
Red Sox starting pitcher Alfredo Aceves has produced a 2-0 record and 2.22 ERA in 13 appearances (two starts) this season. The right-hander earned the win in Boston’s rain-shortened 14-1 win at Detroit on May 26, tossing six strong innings and allowing one run on five hits. It was his longest outing since pitching six frames on Sept. 20, 2008. Aceves has garnered a 1-0 mark and 2.57 ERA in nine home outings (one start), as opponents are hitting just .176 against him. In five lifetime appearances (one start) versus the White Sox, he is a perfect 2-0 with a 4.05 ERA.
Bettors will likely back the Red Sox due to their 8-2 record in their last 10 home games, while the White Sox are 1-4 in their last five games following a win
