Red Sox Try to Take Second Game From White Sox While Clinging to Life

Winners of four of their last five and still mathematically alive in the playoff race, the Red Sox look to extend their season Tuesday in Chicago.

Boston took the opener of a four-game set with the White Sox by a 6-1 score Monday night. Clay Buchholz tossed eight dominant innings to secure his 17th victory.

The Red Sox have won seven of their last eight road games.
John Lackey, who was a hard-luck loser against Chicago at Fenway Park earlier this month, opposes Edwin Jackson on the mound.

WHEN AND WHERE

Red Sox (87-69) at White Sox (83-73)
Tuesday, Sept. 28, 8:10 p.m.
U.S. Cellular Field, Chicago

HEAD TO HEAD

The road team has won all four meetings this year.

PITCHING MATCHUP

RHP John Lackey (13-11, 4.51 ERA) vs. RHP Edwin Jackson (3-2, 3.18 ERA)

Lackey’s up and down campaign was up six days ago at home, where he dominated the Baltimore Orioles to pick up his 13th win on his fifth try. With two starts left he has an outside chance to reach 15 wins for just the second time in his career.

Lackey is 3-6 with a 3.86 ERA vs. Chicago.

Jackson knows a thing or two about inconsistency. His ERA has been on a roller coaster ride over the past four months, progressing as follows: 2.11 in June, 7.24 in July, 1.47 in August, 5.61 in September.

The former Tampa Bay Ray is 2-4 with a 5.70 ERA against the White Sox.

LINEUPS

STAT SHEET

Red Sox

• David Ortiz and Adrian Beltre both reached the 100-RBI mark Monday, becoming the first Red Sox teammates to do so in the same year since Ortiz and Mike Lowell in 2007.
• Catcher Victor Martinez has 23 RBIs in 24 games in September.
• Boston has won seven of its last eight road games.

White Sox

• Designated hitter Manny Ramirez on Monday had more than one hit for the first time in 11 games.
• Chicago’s 1-4 hitters were a combined 1-for-16 with four strikeouts on Monday night.
• The White Sox have lost seven straight home games.

BLACK AND BLUE

Red Sox

• Second baseman Dustin Pedroia had season-ending surgery Sept. 3 on his broken left foot. He is expected to be fully healed for spring training.
• Outfielder Jacoby Ellsbury (ribs) will not resume any baseball-related activities until after the season ends.
• Center fielder Mike Cameron had season-ending surgery to repair an abdominal tear.
• First baseman Kevin Youkilis had successful surgery to repair the torn right adductor muscle on his right hand. He will miss the remainder of the season.
• Left-hander Felix Doubront has pain behind his left clavicle. He will not pitch again this season but hopes to throw a bullpen session before the regular season ends.
• Right-hander Junichi Tazawa underwent Tommy John surgery in March. He is out for the year.

White Sox

• Outfielder Alex Rios left Monday’s game after fouling a pitch off his right leg.
• Right-hander Gavin Floyd may not pitch again this year after leaving his last start with shoulder tightness.
• Second baseman Gordon Beckham has been bothered by a bruised right hand.
• Right-hander Bobby Jenks is out with a sore right forearm.
• Right-hander Jake Peavy had season-ending surgery to repair a detached muscle in his back on July 14.

OUTLOOK

Lackey is among many Red Sox players who would like to carry some momentum into the offseason. Improving on a 3-6 road record cannot hurt.