Chicago sits just 2 1/2 games behind the Tigers for the lead in the NL Central, so every game is important. The Red Sox' division hopes are all but washed away, but they're still holding on to a one-game wild-card lead over Texas.
When and Where
7:10 p.m. (NESN and NESN HD), Aug. 24, 2009
Fenway Park, Boston, Mass.
Records
Red Sox (70-53, 2nd place in AL East)
White Sox (63-61, 2nd place in AL Central)
Skinny
The White Sox are coming off a disappointing weekend against Baltimore, losing two of three to the lowly Orioles. In the series finale, Mark Buehrle gave up five runs on 11 hits. The Red Sox, meanwhile, dropped two of three to the Yankees, despite matching them in runs with 29 in three games.
Starting Lineups
| White Sox | Red Sox |
| Scott Podsednik, CF | Jacoby Ellsbury, CF |
| Gordon Beckham, 3B | Dustin Pedroia, 2B |
| Jermaine Dye, RF | Victor Martinez, C |
| Jim Thome, DH | Kevin Youkilis, 1B |
| Paul Konerko, 1B | David Ortiz, DH |
| Carlos Quentin, LF | Jason Bay, LF |
| A.J. Pierzynski, C | Mike Lowell, 3B |
| Alexei Ramirez, SS | J.D. Drew, RF |
| Jayson Nix, 2B | Alex Gonzalez, SS |
Pitching Matchup
Clay Buchholz (2-3, 3.99 ERA) vs. Jose Contreras (5-11, 5.13 ERA)
When Clay Buchholz was matched up against Roy Halladay last week, it didn’t inspire much confidence around Red Sox Nation. This time around, it's a bit different. Buchholz is coming off a six-inning, one-run performance in which he outdueled the Blue Jays' ace in a 6-1 Red Sox victory.
For Chicago, Jose Contreras is the White Sox' leader in losses with 11. He is, however, coming off one of his better outings of the season, beating the Royals last Wednesday. In that game, Contreras pitched seven innings, allowing just one run on three hits and a walk while striking out eight.
Despite his career .534 winning percentage, he hasn't fared very well against Boston. In his career against the Red Sox, he is 3-5 with an 8.82 ERA.
Stat Sheet
Red Sox
The Red Sox are 39-20 at Fenway Park, winning 11of their last 17 games at home since July 10. They have won 12 of 19 home series this season.
Victor Martinez has multiple hits in seven of his last 10 games. Since joining the team on Aug. 1, he leads the team in hits and RBIs.
Clay Buchholz owns an 0-1 record and 15.00 ERA against the White Sox in one career start. He gave up five runs in just three innings on Aug. 10, 2008.
Josh Beckett gave up five home runs on Sunday for the first time in his career. Dennis Eckersley once gave up five long balls against the Yankees in 1979.
Mike Lowell is riding a modest seven-game hitting streak, going 10-for-28 in that time. He is hitting .366 since coming off the DL on July 17.
White Sox
The White Sox are coming off a six-game homestand in which they went 3-3 against the Royals and Orioles. The team kicks off an 11-game road trip with Monday's game against the Red Sox.
Beginning on Friday, the White Sox will play 20 straight games without a day off.
Carlos Quentin's streak of three straight games with a homer was snapped on Sunday.
Manager Ozzie Guillen is four wins shy of 500 with the team.
The White Sox lead the American League with 92 errors and are tied for last with a .980 fielding percentage. Shortstop Alexei Ramirez leads the team with 16 errors.
Gordon Beckham, who was the AL Rookie of the Month in July, has gone just 19-for-75 (.253) in August. On the season, he is batting .287 with seven homers and 44 RBIs.
Jim Thome hit the 564th home run of his career on Friday, putting him ahead of Reggie Jackson for 12th place all-time. He is five homers shy of tying Rafael Palmeiro.
Black and Blue
Red Sox
Daisuke Matsuzaka, on the DL with shoulder fatigue, is expected to throw three innings in a rehab start in the Gulf Coast League on Monday.
Tim Wakefield will come off the DL to pitch on Wednesday after missing time with a calf problem.
Jed Lowrie, on the DL with a left wrist injury, is expected to begin a rehab assignment on Monday night.
George Kottaras (back) and Jeff Bailey (ankle) are in the minors, coming back from their injuries.
White Sox
Jake Peavy is scheduled to throw 75 pitches in a Triple-A rehab assignment as he recovers from an ankle injury.
Dewayne Wise was placed on the DL retroactive to Aug. 15 with a strained AC joint in his shoulder.
Chris Getz was placed on the DL on Aug. 14 with a strained oblique muscle.
Bartolo Colon suffered elbow inflammation and will return to the team only as a September call-up.
This Date in Red Sox History
Ted Williams pitches two innings of relief against the Tigers at Fenway Park on Aug. 24, 1940. He allows one run on three hits, but strikes out Rudy York on three pitches. It is the only pitching appearance of Williams' long career.
Overheard
“[Greg Montalbano] did a lot of great things for the Jimmy Fund. He was always speaking out for that. It was important to him. He wanted to live the dream and make it to the big leagues, like we all did. His body just didn’t allow him to get to that point. But maybe the money that gets raised by the Jimmy Fund will save that one kid that might have that opportunity to play in the big leagues one day and fulfill his dream.”
–Kevin Youkilis, in the Boston Herald, on his former minor league teammate passing away from cancer at the age of 31
Press Box
Red Sox
Rocco Baldelli is a true No. 5.
The Red Sox' bullpen isn't exactly thrilled about the idea of adding Billy Wagner.
They may not have to worry about that, as one report says the Sox won't land the reliever.
White Sox
The White Sox blew a chance to make a move over the weekend.
Jake Peavy was given an extra day off.
Ozzie Guillen called Peavy a "real bulldog."
MLB
John Smoltz struck out seven consecutive batters in his debut for St. Louis.
Tim Lincecum took a no-hitter into the sixth but ended up losing to the Rockies.
Pedro Martinez's second win was capped off with a game-ending triple play.
Outlook
This is a big series for both teams. The Red Sox' offense has been operating at high speed for the past few games. Facing Jose Contreras should all but guarantee it continues on that pace. If the pitching can keep up, the Red Sox should be able to take the series opener.
