Boston @ Chicago preview

Last Meeting ( Jun 10, 2018 ) Chi. White Sox 5, Boston 2

The Boston Red Sox saw their high-octane offense kick it up a notch, igniting for 11 runs on 12 hits -- including five for extra bases (four doubles, triple) -- in the seventh inning on their way to a season sweep of Miami. The Red Sox hope that offense travels well Thursday in the opener a four-game series against the host Chicago White Sox (52-80), who took two of three from the club in June.

Eduardo Nunez joined Mookie Betts with three hits and three runs scored as Boston rode its most productive inning of the season in a 14-6 romp on Wednesday. Nunez is 11-for-27 with five RBIs and as many runs scored during a seven-game hitting streak, although he went 1-for-8 as the Red Sox mustered just six runs against Chicago from June 8-10. Boston received an assist from the White Sox on Wednesday, as the latter's 4-1 triumph over New York allowed the Red Sox to take a 7 1/2-game lead over the second-place Yankees in the American League East. Ryan LaMarre, who homered to highlight his three-hit, four-RBI performance on Wednesday, went 3-for-7 with two runs scored in a series against Boston earlier in the season while he was still with Minnesota.

TV: 8:10 p.m. ET, NESN (Boston), CSN Chicago

PITCHING MATCHUP: Red Sox RH Rick Porcello (15-7, 4.18 ERA) vs. White Sox RH Lucas Giolito (10-9, 5.85)

Porcello lost for the third time in four starts on Saturday while allowing three runs in five innings of a 5-1 setback at Tampa Bay. The 2016 AL Cy Young Award winner also fell short in his last outing against Chicago on June 10, taking the loss after permitting three runs (two earned) and walking three in six frames of a 5-2 setback. Avisail Garcia is 7-for-20 versus Porcello, who owns an 11-9 mark with a 4.30 ERA in 24 career encounters with the White Sox.

Giolito won his third straight start and improved to 5-1 in his last eight trips to the mound on Saturday after yielding one run on three hits in seven innings of a 6-1 romp over Detroit. "It was definitely the best fastball command I've had all season. Warming up in the bullpen, I was hitting both sides of the plate super consistently," the 24-year-old said. Giolito, who will face Boston for the first time this season, has recorded three consecutive quality starts and four in his last five outings.

WALK-OFFS

1. Boston 2B Ian Kinsler has four multi-hit performances in his last six outings.

2. Chicago 2B Yoan Moncada has six hits, six RBIs and four runs scored in his last six games.

3. The White Sox announced a special online charity auction in honor of Red Sox broadcaster Jerry Remy, who went on medical leave to focus on his treatment after recently being diagnosed again with cancer.

PREDICTION: Red Sox 7, White Sox 2