The Boston Red Sox (10-10) and Chicago White Sox (10-11) will close out a four-game American League series on Sunday afternoon at U.S. Cellular Field, with the first pitch scheduled for 2:10 p.m. ET
Boston Red Sox at Chicago White Sox
Boston has won six games in a row after coming away with a 1-0 win over Chicago on Saturday night, as the clubhouse has recovered from blowing a 9-1 lead to the New York Yankees a week ago. “They’re coming together,” stated Red Sox first-year manager Bobby Valentine. The Red Sox offense was silence a bit, but it’s still important to note that the lineup managed to produce at least six runs in each of the previous five games of the current win streak. Boston is 5-0 when the total is 8 to 8.5 this year, with the “over” being 5-0 in that situation.
Red Sox starting pitcher Josh Beckett (2-2, 4.56 ERA) has alternated wins and losses over his first four starts, coming off an 11-2 road win over the Minnesota Twins last time out. He allowed two runs and five hits over six frames in that contest. The right-hander didn’t face the White Sox in 2011, but has registered a 4-2 record and 3.70 ERA in eight career starts in this series. Beckett is 1-1 with a 7.59 ERA in two road starts this year, serving up five home runs in 10.2 combined frames.
Chicago is definitely on the other side of the spectrum, as it looks to snap a five-game losing streak, scoring just 10 runs and being shut out twice over that span. The White Sox are a dismal 3-7 at home this season, but can return to .500 with a win in the series finale. “I don’t think anybody here just automatically things we can’t win at home,” stated White Sox manager Robin Ventura. “Some teams are just better that way.” Fans have certainly gotten use to the misfortune against today’s opponent, with the club going 1-5 in its last six home games against the Red Sox. Chicago is 13-17 as a home underdog of +100 to +125 the last two-plus seasons.
White Sox starting pitcher Gavin Floyd (1-3, 3.60 ERA) may be the right person to have on the mound to end the losing streak, but the offense needs to provide him some support. Chicago has scored eight combined runs in his first four outings this year. The right-hander is 6-0 with a 3.47 ERA in eight career games (seven starts) versus the Red Sox.
Bettors will likely back the White Sox due to their 9-3 mark in Floyd’s last 12 starts as a home underdog, while the Red Sox are 3-7 in Beckett’s last 10 road efforts versus a team with a losing record.
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