Chicago White Sox (25-31) @ Boston Red Sox (30-24)
Phil Humber (3-3, 2.85) @ Alfredo Aceves (2-0, 2.22)
7:10 PM EDT |Fenway Park (Boston, MA)
TV: NESN RADIO: WEEI 850, WWZN 1510
INJURY REPORT
Chicago: Mark Teahen, strained oblique (Placed on the 15 day DL May 17th retroactive to May 12th)
Boston: Franklin Morales, left forearm strain (Placed on the 15 day DL May 29th retroactive to May 26th);Darnell McDonald, sore left quad (Placed on the 15 day DL May 26th); Daisuke Matsuzaka, sprained elbow (Placed on the 15 day DL May 17th); John Lackey, strained elbow (Placed on the 15 day DL May 16th, retroactive May 12th); Marco Scutaro, strained left oblique (Placed on the 15 day DL May 8th); Felix Doubront, left groin strain (Placed on the 7 day DL on May 11)
GAME NOTES
The Red Sox were 11-15 on May first. After losing to Seattle the night before, they had fallen six games behind the Yankees and sat dead last in the division. Keep all of that in mind as Boston heads into tonight’s game tied for first in the AL East after surging through the month of May. They will try and avoid ending the month on a three game losing streak against Phil Humber and the White Sox this evening at Fenway Park. Jon Lester was off his game yesterday, surrendering seven runs in only five and two third innings, and Jake Peavy proved to be too much for the potent Boston lineup. The Sox may be in for more trouble tonight as Phil Humber trots to the mound for Chicago. The righty has been Chicago’s best starter so far this season, posting a 2.85 ERA with a 3-3 record. He pitched seven and two third innings, surrendering only one run and striking out three last Thursday in Toronto. The Sox counter with Alfredo Aceves, who will be making his last start before John Lackey returns to the rotation. Aceves allowed only one run in six innings against Detroit in his last start, lowering his ERA to 2.22 and raising his record to 2-0. Bobby Jenks has been activated off the disabled list and will be available tonight. After all the off season controversy between him and Ozzie Guillen, it will be interesting to see if Francona will use him against Chicago. Michael Bowden was sent back to Pawtucket. In other news, Jon Lester’s next start has been pushed back to next Tuesday in New York. This allows him a full week of rest, and gives Boston a better shot at beating the Yankees. Jed Lowrie is back in the lineup hitting seventh and playing shortstop after two days off. As the Sox try to snap a losing streak tonight at Fenway, it’s as good a time as any to reflect on the difference a month can make, and realize just how long the baseball season truly is.
Lineups
Red Sox
- Jacoby Ellsbury, CF
- Dustin Pedroia, 2B
- Adrian Gonzalez, 1B
- Kevin Youkilis, 3B
- David Ortiz, DH
- Carl Crawford, LF
- Jed Lowrie, SS
- JD Drew, RF
- Jason Varitek, C
Chicago
- Juan Pierre, LF
- Alexei Ramirez, SS
- Carlos Quentin, RF
- Paul Konerko, 1B
- AJ Pierzynski, C
- Alex Rios, CF
- Adam Dunn, DH
- Gordon Beckham, 2B
- Brent Morel, 3B
Stats
-Aceves is 2-0 with a 4.05 ERA in five appearances against Chicago.
-Humber may have the best ERA of Chicago starters, but it is Edwin Jackson who leads them in WAR with a 1.6.
-The White Sox are trying to win six straight at Fenway for the first time since 1953.
-Aceves has won 12 straight decisions.
-Oddly enough, Drew Sutton is the only Boston player with an at bat against Humber.
-Jason Varitek hit .293 in May and posted a .370 OBP.
-Adrian Gonzalez led the team in average (.347), RBI’s (31), and runs (22) this month. He and David Ortiz tied with nine long balls. (Min. 10 at bats)
-Josh Reddick had an equal amount of RBI’s as Mike Cameron in May: 3.
-JD Drew hit a team low .200 this month. (Min. 10 at bats)
-Boston has posted a 19-9 record so far in May.
-It’s a long season.