Red Sox Hoping to Salvage Split in 2010 Road Schedule Finale

The Red Sox play their final road game of 2010 when they finish a four-game series in Chicago onThursday night.

All eyes will be on Jon Lester, who aims for 20 victories in his final start of an outstanding season. John Danks looks for his 15th win for the White Sox.

Chicago has taken the last two meetings, both with plenty of runs late in the game. It scored three times in the seventh and once in the eighth to take Wednesday's meeting 5-2.

WHEN AND WHERE

Red Sox (87-70) at White Sox (84-73)
Wednesday, Sept. 29, 8:10 p.m.
U.S. Cellular Field, Chicago

HEAD TO HEAD

The White Sox have won five of six matchups this year.

PITCHING MATCHUP

LHP Jon Lester (19-8, 2.96 ERA) vs. LHP John Danks (14-11, 3.74 ERA)

Lester has arguably been the best pitcher in baseball over the last month or so, going 6-0 with a 1.76 ERA since a disastrous outing vs. Toronto back on Aug. 20.

With a win Lester, would become the first Red Sox lefty to reach 20 wins in a season since Mel Parnell in 1953. He would also be just the second in the American League to get to that milestone in 2010.

Lester is 2-1 with a 3.04 ERA vs. Chicago.

Danks went through a recent rough patch (1-3, 5.98 ERA in seven starts) before going eight strong innings in Los Angeles five days ago. He picked up a career high 14 wins after allowing just two runs against the Angels.

The lefty yielded a run in seven innings to lead Chicago to a 3-1 win at Fenway Park on Sept. 4.

LINEUPS

Lineups will be available approximately four hours before first pitch.

STAT SHEET

Red Sox

• David Ortiz has 1,000 RBIs as a designated hitter, three shy of tying Edgar Martinez for the all-time record.
• Infielder Jed Lowrie is batting .372 (16-for-43) over his last 12 games.
• Outfielder Daniel Nava has gone 149 at-bats without a home run since he slugged one on the first pitch he ever saw in the majors.

White Sox

• Chicago had 12 singles and a solo homer in Wednesday's win.
• Outfielder Alejandro De Aza began his career 0-for-10. He is 4-for-6 since
• Left-hander Matt Thornton has two wins, two saves and 8 2/3 scoreless innings over his last six appearances.

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

Essentially, all that matters is how Lester performs.