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The Boston Red Sox are on a mission to complete a three-game sweep of the Chicago White Sox, and Sunday’s game is their chance to make it happen. After suffering a tough sweep at the hands of the New York Mets, the Red Sox bounced back strong, grabbing two wins from the White Sox, including a much-needed 7-5 victory on Saturday. Now, as they continue to fight for a spot in the American League wild-card race, Boston needs every win they can get.
Red Sox Find Their Groove: Offense Comes Alive
Saturday’s win was a breath of fresh air for the Red Sox (72-70), who have struggled with run production lately. In fact, before this game, they had gone six straight games scoring three runs or fewer. But on Saturday, the offense finally woke up. The Red Sox got off to a hot start, putting four runs on the board in the first inning and never looking back. They ended the game with 10 hits.
Tyler O’Neill was the star of the day, smashing two home runs and recording his sixth multi-homer game of the season. Romy Gonzalez was just as electric, going 3-for-4 and swiping three bases.
A key storyline for Boston was the return of shortstop Trevor Story. After missing 133 games with a dislocated left shoulder, Story returned to the lineup and made an impact immediately with an RBI.
“It feels great to be back and help the team,” Story said. “I’m just excited to be here for these games that really matter.”
With only 20 games left in the season, the Red Sox trail the Minnesota Twins by four games for the final wild-card spot. Red Sox manager Alex Cora believes Story’s return could be the spark they need in this crucial stretch.
“(Story is) our leader out there,” Cora said. “We had high hopes for him in the offseason, but things didn’t go as planned. Now we have 20 more games, and I hope he’s a big part of the push.”
Who’s Pitching for the Red Sox?
There’s a bit of mystery surrounding Sunday’s starting pitcher for Boston. With Brayan Bello’s start pushed to Monday, the Red Sox haven’t officially named a starter for the series finale. However, rumors suggest that right-hander Richard Fitts might be called up from Triple-A Worcester to make his major league debut. Fitts has had a solid season in the minors, posting a 9-5 record with a 4.17 ERA in 24 games (23 starts).
White Sox’s Season of Struggles
It’s been a season to forget for the Chicago White Sox (32-111), who are in the middle of one of the worst seasons in modern baseball history. They’ve lost 19 straight series and haven’t managed to win back-to-back games since June. With 19 games left, the White Sox need to win 11 to avoid tying the 1962 New York Mets’ record for the most losses in a season (120).
On the mound for Chicago will be right-hander Chris Flexen (2-14, 5.36 ERA). Flexen is trying to break a record he’d rather not have — the White Sox have lost 20 straight games in which he’s started. This painful streak dates all the way back to May 14.
“I always expect to compete every time I take the ball,” Flexen said. “But I’ve been disappointed in my performance this season.”
Even with his struggles, Flexen has shown he can be effective against the Red Sox, boasting a 1-0 record with a 3.60 ERA in five career appearances (three starts) against Boston.
Bright Spots for the White Sox
Despite another loss on Saturday, a few White Sox players had standout performances. Andrew Benintendi and Andrew Vaughn both went deep and finished the game with three hits each. Vaughn leads the team with 17 home runs, while Benintendi has been a rare bright spot since August, posting a .950 OPS since the start of the month.
What to Watch For in the Series Finale
The stakes are high for the Red Sox as they fight to keep their playoff dreams alive. A sweep of the White Sox would give them a much-needed boost in the wild-card race. With Trevor Story back and the offense starting to show signs of life, Boston will need to ride this momentum into Sunday’s game.
The White Sox, on the other hand, are playing for pride. Their season has already been a disaster, but avoiding another series loss would be a small victory for a team looking to avoid further embarrassment.
Key things to keep an eye on:
- Boston’s offense: Can they continue to produce runs like they did on Saturday, or will they fall back into a slump?
- Who starts for the Red Sox?: If Richard Fitts makes his major league debut, will the rookie rise to the occasion, or will nerves get the best of him?
- Chris Flexen: Will he finally end his brutal losing streak, or will the White Sox’s woes continue?
Sunday’s game could be a turning point for the Red Sox as they chase a wild-card spot. For the White Sox, it’s about trying to find any silver lining in an otherwise forgettable season.
A Critical Game for the Red Sox’s Playoff Hopes
Sunday’s game could be a defining moment for the Red Sox as they try to stay alive in the AL wild-card race. With Trevor Story back and the offense heating up, Boston is in a good position to complete the sweep. The White Sox, meanwhile, are hoping to avoid further embarrassment in a season that has been nothing short of disastrous. Both teams have something to prove, making this game a must-watch for fans.
