Chicago @ Boston preview
Fenway Park
Last Meeting ( May 22, 2013 ) Boston 6, Chi. White Sox 2
The last time Ryan Dempster took the mound, he stirred up controversy and earned a five-game suspension by throwing at Alex Rodriguez. Dempster returns from his league-mandated break to try to add to Boston's lead in the American League East when he and the Red Sox begin a three-game series with the visiting Chicago White Sox on Friday. The White Sox are in last place in the AL Central and 20 games below .500, but they've relished the role of spoiler lately, winning five straight series, including sets with playoff contenders Texas, Kansas City and Detroit.
Boston leads the AL East by 2 1/2 games over Tampa Bay after claiming two of three from Baltimore. Shane Victorino carried the Red Sox against the Orioles, racking up three homers and nine RBIs in the series, and he has four home runs in his last four games. The White Sox have won six straight road games coming on the heels of a 10-game road skid.
TV: 7:10 p.m. ET, CSN (Chicago), NESN (Boston)
PITCHING MATCHUP: White Sox LH Hector Santiago (4-7, 3.25 ERA) vs. Red Sox RH Ryan Dempster (6-9, 4.77)
Though his record doesn't reflect it, Santiago has been a bright spot for the White Sox. He has allowed two runs or fewer in eight of his last 10 starts but has only one win during that stretch and took a no-decision last time out despite holding Texas to two runs over 6 1/3 innings. Santiago is 0-1 with a 4.00 ERA in two games (one start) against Boston, with the loss coming this season.
The suspension added to an already frustrating night for Dempster in his last outing, as he was tagged for seven runs on nine hits in 5 1/3 innings in a loss to the Yankees. He is winless in four starts this month - allowing five or more runs in three of them - and has only one victory since June 25. The 36-year-old British Columbia native is 2-5 with a 5.03 ERA in 14 games (seven starts) against the White Sox.
WALK-OFFS
1. Red Sox DH David Ortiz is hitless in his last 22 at-bats and has not recorded a hit since Aug. 18.
2. White Sox INF Jeff Keppinger is 13-for-29 with a homer against Dempster.
3. Boston 1B/LF Daniel Nava has reached safely in 35 consecutive starts.
PREDICTION: Red Sox 5, White Sox 4