Boston @ Chicago preview

Last Meeting ( May 20, 2013 ) Boston 4, Chi. White Sox 6

Adam Dunn looked like his career was coming to a sad end in the first six weeks of the season. When the Chicago White Sox host the Boston Red Sox on Tuesday, Dunn will be trying to keep one of the best power streaks in the majors going. Dunn clubbed a three-run homer in Monday’s series-opening win and has hit five of his 11 homers and driven in 13 of his 25 runs in the last seven games. Unsurprisingly, the White Sox are 5-2 in that span.

Dunn has always had a low batting average and high strikeout totals but has been able to balance that with power and on-base percentage during his best seasons. The on-base percentage is still not where he would like it, but the recent power spike has brought the slugging percentage closer to where it should be. The Red Sox had won five straight before falling 6-4 in Monday’s opener. Jarrod Saltalamacchia had two of Boston’s six hits but Jacoby Ellsbury went 0-for-4 to watch his average fall to .241.

TV: 8:10 p.m. ET, New England Sports Network (Boston), WCUI (Chicago)

PITCHING MATCHUP: Red Sox LH Felix Doubront (3-1, 6.03 ERA) vs. White Sox LH Jose Quintana (2-1, 3.97)

Doubront could be pitching for his spot in the rotation. Boston has been stretching Franklin Morales out as a starter on his rehab assignments and already bumped Doubront from the rotation once earlier in the month. The 25-year-old left-hander walked six and yielded a home run last time out but struck out seven and limited the damage to two runs and three hits in a no-decision at Tampa Bay. Doubront is 2-0 with a 3.00 ERA in two starts against Chicago and has held Dunn to 0-for-4 with a strikeout.

Quintana is winless in his last four starts with a 5.16 ERA. He issued a season-high three walks and allowed four runs over 6 2/3 frames against the Los Angeles Angels last week. Quintana dominated in his lone start against the Red Sox, scattering five hits without walking a batter over eight scoreless innings at Fenway Park on July 19, 2012.

WALK-OFFS

1. Red Sox 2B Dustin Pedroia has hit safely in 12 straight games, jumping his average to .341.

2. Chicago LHP John Danks (shoulder) could make his season debut on Friday.

3. Boston RF Shane Victorino (hamstring) left Monday’s game. He is day-to-day.

PREDICTION: White Sox 8, Red Sox 5