Boston @ Chicago preview

Last Meeting ( Aug 31, 2018 ) Boston 1, Chi. White Sox 6

Left-hander Eduardo Rodriguez, who posted 11 victories through July 9, is expected back from the disabled list to start Saturday night when his major league-best Boston Red Sox visit the Chicago White Sox for the third of a four-game set. Rodriguez’s return is a welcome sight with Chris Sale (shoulder) still not back and David Price likely missing his next start after getting hit with a line drive off his left wrist Wednesday.

Boston’s bats cooled off Friday in a rain-delayed 6-1 loss to the White Sox after scoring 31 times in the previous three games, but leadoff batter Mookie Betts extended his hitting streak for the Red Sox (93-43) to five games (8-for-15, two homers, six RBIs). J.D. Martinez homered in the 9-4 victory over Chicago on Thursday, leaving him one shy of his second straight season with at least 40, and he has gone deep twice in eight official at-bats against White Sox scheduled starter Carlos Rodon. Chicago (54-81) won for the sixth time in its last eight games and finished an impressive 17-12 in August, moving into a tie with Detroit for third place in the AL Central. Yolmer Sanchez is 7-for-20 with two walks in his last five games for the White Sox, while teammate Avisail Garcia boasts eight RBIs in his last eight contests.

TV: 7:10 p.m. ET, NESN (Boston), WGN (Chicago)

PITCHING MATCHUP: Red Sox LH Eduardo Rodriguez (11-3, 3.44 ERA) vs. White Sox LH Carlos Rodon (6-3, 2.70)

Rodriguez returns after spending almost seven weeks on the DL with an ankle injury to make his 20th start of the season - the fourth straight season with at least that many. The 25-year-old Venezuelan did not give up a run in his previous three starts in July, allowing 10 hits and four walks combined over 17 innings. Nicky Delmonico is 1-for-3 with two RBIs versus Rodriguez, who is 0-0 with a 3.75 ERA in two career starts against the White Sox.

Rodon is unbeaten in nine starts, including victories in his last three trips to the mound when he permitted seven runs across 21 innings total. The 25-year-old Miami native completed at least seven innings in six of his last eight starts, giving up just three homers during that stretch. Rodon suffered a loss at Boston on June 9 in his season debut, giving up four runs (two earned) and six hits over five innings - including homers by Jackie Bradley Jr. and Martinez.

WALK-OFFS

1. The White Sox are one of only two AL teams leading the season series against the Red Sox (Oakland is the other), winning three of five with two to go.

2. Along with Rodriguez, the Red Sox are expected to activate C Christian Vazquez and RHP Steven Wright from the DL on Saturday.

3. Former Boston prospect 2B Yoan Moncada is 3-for-7 with a homer, two RBIs and a walk in the series.

PREDICTION: White Sox 4, Red Sox 2