White Sox at Red Sox
Without their top two sluggers, the Boston Red Sox have seen their offense grind to a halt. They'll try to get the bats going again when they continue a three-game series with the visiting Chicago White Sox on Saturday.
J.D. Martinez, who leads the majors in home runs with 20, left Boston's 7-2 loss to the Detroit Tigers on Thursday due to a back strain, joining fellow star Mookie Betts (abdominal strain) on the sidelines for the opener with the White Sox on Friday. A makeshift Red Sox lineup managed three hits and drew one walk against four Chicago pitchers in a 1-0 loss, dropping Boston into second place in the American League East. Martinez told reporters he expects to play Saturday and Betts is scheduled to hit outside, according to manager Alex Cora. The White Sox have won five of their last eight to crawl out of the basement in the AL Central and now turn to Carlos Rodon, who will be making his season debut Saturday after recovering from shoulder surgery in September when he opposes fellow lefty David Price.
TV: 4:05 p.m. ET, MLB Network, NBCS Chicago, NESN (Boston)
PITCHING MATCHUP: White Sox LH Carlos Rodon (2017: 2-5, 4.15 ERA) vs. Red Sox LH David Price (6-4, 4.08)
Rodon was limited to 12 starts in his injury-plagued 2017 campaign, although he dominated the Red Sox in one of them with 11 strikeouts in 7 2/3 innings of two-run ball. The former first-round pick made three rehab starts for Triple-A Charlotte and recorded 22 strikeouts in 12 2/3 frames while allowing two runs. Rodon is 0-1 with a 3.29 ERA in two career starts versus Boston.
Price gave up three runs in six innings with seven strikeouts to win at Houston his last time out. He has had some ups and downs at Fenway Park, where he is 2-2 with a 5.66 ERA over his last four outings and where he's issued 13 walks in 27 2/3 innings overall. Slugger Jose Abreu is just 2-for-18 with a home run against Price, who is 5-5 with a 3.41 mark versus Chicago.
WALK-OFFS
1. Red Sox LF Andrew Benintendi boasts seven extra-base hits in his last six games.
2. The White Sox are 5-6 against the AL East and 16-34 against all other opponents.
3. Boston recalled RHP Justin Haley from Triple-A Pawtucket while optioning LHP Jalen Beeks, who made his major-league debut Thursday against Detroit.