Hot-hitting Alex Verdugo will be looking to extend his 12-game hitting streak as the Boston Red Sox (40-37) match up against the Chicago White Sox (32-45) at Guaranteed Rate Field on Saturday.
The Red Sox took Friday’s series opener 3-1. Starter Brayan Bello went 6.2 innings, allowing one run on six hits, to get the win, and Kenley Jansen earned his 16th save with a scoreless ninth.
Rafael Devers was 1 for 4 with a home run and two RBIs in the win. Seby Zavala went 1 for 2 with one run for the White Sox.
ON THE MOUND
James Paxton (3-1, 3.29 ERA) is set to start for Boston. The left-hander allowed three runs over 6.1 innings in his last start, a 9-3 road win over the Twins on Monday. He was credited with the win, scattering three hits while striking out seven and walking one.
Right-hander Lance Lynn (4-8, 6.51 ERA) will take the mound for Chicago. It’s his first appearance of the season against the Red Sox. In his last start on Sunday, Lynn took the loss on the road against the Mariners. He threw seven innings and gave up three runs on four hits, striking out 16 and walking two in the 5-1 defeat.
AT THE PLATE
Over the last five games, Boston has averaged 5.2 runs a game, a small gain compared to their season average of 5.1. Against right-handed pitchers like Lynn this season, the Sox have a .755 OPS.
Verdugo is the team’s most productive hitter against right-handers with a .894 OPS in 198 at-bats. Chicago is averaging only 2.8 runs per game in the last five, down from 4.1 for the season, with their slash line dropping across the board (.220/.256/.366).
The Sox have a .729 OPS against lefties in 2023. With a 1.246 OPS over 54 at-bats, Luis Robert Jr. has been their best hitter against left-handers.
HOME AND AWAY
Boston is 19-19 on the road in 2023, scoring 4.2 runs per game while allowing 4.3 runs. Chicago has gone 18-20 at home this season, averaging 4.1 runs per game while surrendering 5.0. In the last 10 games at Guaranteed Rate Field between the teams, Boston is 7-3 with an average scoreline of 7.9-3.3.
STANDINGS UPDATE
The Red Sox are fifth in the AL East, 12 games behind the division-leading Rays. The White Sox are fourth in the AL Central, seven games behind the Twins.
SportsTips’ MLB Pick:
Boston Red Sox (-120)
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*Odds correct at time of publication, courtesy of BetMGM.
