Chicago White Sox vs. Boston Red Sox Pick & Prediction SEPTEMBER 8th 2024
Preview and Prediction
After being swept by the New York Mets in their most recent series, the Boston Red Sox will aim to complete a clean sweep as they wrap up a three-game weekend matchup against the last-place Chicago White Sox on Sunday afternoon.
The Red Sox (72-70) broke out of their recent offensive slump in a 7-5 victory on Saturday, scoring four runs in the first inning and maintaining their lead with a total of 10 hits. This marked an end to their six-game streak of scoring three runs or less.
Not only did Tyler O'Neill achieve his sixth multi-homer game of the season, but Romy Gonzalez also had an impressive 3-for-4 performance and stole three bases.
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In addition to these standout performances, shortstop Trevor Story made a successful return to the field after a 133-game absence due to a dislocated left shoulder. He was initially expected to miss the remainder of the season.
"It's a significant win for me personally, to be able to come back this year and play some games," Story stated before Saturday's game. "I'm excited to join the team and contribute in some meaningful games."
With only 20 games left in the season, the Minnesota Twins currently hold a four-game lead over the Red Sox in the race for the third and final wild-card spot in the American League.
Red Sox manager Alex Cora recognizes the importance of Story's presence in the team's remaining games.
"(Story is) like a quarterback," Cora explained. "That's what we envisioned in the offseason. Unfortunately, it didn't work out. But we still have 20 games left. Hopefully, we can continue to win and he'll be a key part of that."
With Brayan Bello's scheduled start being pushed back to Monday in order to give Tanner Houck an extra day of rest, the Red Sox have yet to announce a starter for Sunday's game.
Cora hinted that a minor league player may be called up, with reports indicating that right-hander Richard Fitts will make his major league debut after being promoted from Triple-A Worcester. Fitts has a record of 9-5 with a 4.17 ERA in 24 games (23 starts).
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For the White Sox (32-111), right-hander Chris Flexen (2-14, 5.36 ERA) will take the mound in hopes of adding to his decent career numbers against Boston and ending his team's modern-era record for most consecutive losses in a pitcher's starts. The current record stands at 20, dating back to May 14 against the Washington Nationals.
"Every time I take the ball, I expect myself to be competitive and have strong outings," Flexen stated. "Unfortunately, most of them haven't been great. I've had a couple of quality starts, but overall, my performance has been very disappointing."
Flexen, who holds a record of 1-0 with a 3.60 ERA in five career appearances (three starts) against the Red Sox, pitched the first 3 1/3 innings in Chicago's 13-3 loss to the Baltimore Orioles on Monday. He did manage to strike out five batters, but also allowed three runs on seven hits and threw a total of 95 pitches.
One streak that will not be broken as a result of Saturday's loss is the White Sox's 19 consecutive series losses. They have not won back-to-back games since June.
"If we keep focusing on our record and wins, it can be draining," interim manager Grady Sizemore admitted.
In order to avoid tying the modern record for most losses in a season (120), currently held by the 1962 expansion New York Mets, the White Sox must win 11 of their remaining 19 games.
Despite Saturday's loss, both Andrew Benintendi and Andrew Vaughn hit home runs and had three hits each.
Vaughn leads the team with 17 home runs this season, while Benintendi has an impressive OPS of .950 since August 1st.
Chicago White Sox vs. Boston Red Sox Recap SEP 8TH 2024
A five-run ninth inning propelled the visiting Chicago White Sox to a 7-2 win over the Boston Red Sox, salvaging the finale of a three-game series on Sunday.
Chicago (33-111) broke open a 2-2 game with five runs on five hits against Boston reliever Zack Kelly (6-3), who recorded just one out while facing seven batters in the ninth.
Singles by Andrew Vaughn and Lenyn Sosa, who both went 2-for-4, put two aboard with one out before Dominic Fletcher knocked in the go-ahead run on a double inside the left-field line.
Jacob Amaya's knock into right two batters later plated an insurance run. Zach DeLoach's hard grounder to right scored two more and Luis Robert Jr., who had three hits, delivered a deep sacrifice fly.
Fraser Ellard (2-2) got the win in relief for the White Sox, who had lost 20 consecutive starts by Chris Flexen.
Flexen struck out six and allowed two runs on two solo home runs across six innings.
Connor Wong (3-for-4) and Wilyer Abreu (2-for-4) each doubled and homered to lead the Red Sox (72-71).
Richard Fitts, who allowed two unearned runs on six hits in a 5 2/3-inning start, and Luis Guerrero both made their MLB debuts on the mound for Boston.
The Red Sox went scoreless in the first after Jarren Duran was tagged out at home on a relay and Abreu was caught stealing third base to end the threat. Wong's two-out homer an inning later did get Boston on the board.
Fitts faced just a batter over the minimum through the first three innings, having picked off a runner in the first and worked around Vaughn's leadoff single to post another zero in the second.
The White Sox had something brewing with two hits to begin the fourth, but Fitts and shortstop Trevor Story combined to start a 1-6-3 double play to escape trouble.
DeLoach's grounder eluded Boston first baseman Triston Casas for an error and rolled into the right-field corner to begin Chicago's sixth inning against Fitts.
Robert's single and Benintendi's RBI grounder tied the score, then Lee's chopper through the infield landed just past relief pitcher Greg Weissert's reach to give the White Sox a 2-1 lead.
Boston tied it when Abreu crushed his 15th homer of the season to right-center field to make it 2-2 in the home sixth. The damage could have been greater if not for right fielder Fletcher's dive to rob Rafael Devers of an extra-base hit towards the gap.