2 min read • May 08, 2022
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The White Sox look to complete a sweep of the Red Sox in Sunday morning’s matchup at Fenway Park. After struggling through the beginning of the season, Chicago has won five in a row and has shut down Boston this series.
Boston Red Sox - 10-18, Last in AL East
After reaching the ALCS during a surprise 2021 postseason run, the Red Sox have fallen back down to earth one month into this season.
Boston’s pitching staff has been lambasted by injuries, with projected starters Chris Sale, James Paxton, and Rich Hill sidelined and reliever Josh Taylor yet to appear this season.
Right-hander Michael Wacha has been the team’s best starter and will take the hill on Sunday, carrying a 3-0 record and 1.38 ERA in 260 IP this season.
Despite the slim pitching pickens, the Red Sox biggest issues as of late have been on offense: Boston is 26th in MLB in OPS, 24th in runs, and 27th in home runs with only 16 this season
The scuffling offense hasn’t scored more than five runs in a game since April 27 and has plated a total of 21 runs, good for 2.33 per game, over the last nine games.
J.D. Martinez is hitting .364 with two home runs, eight runs, and five RBI this month after missing time with a groin injury in late April.
The White Sox have been the major league club most hurt by injuries this season.
Since the lockout ended, Chicago has seen pitchers Lance Lynn, Lucas Giolito, Joe Kelly, Garrett Crochet, and Liam Hendriks, and hitters Eloy Jimenez, Luis Robert, Yoan Moncada, Yermin Mercedes, Josh Harrison, A.J. Pollock, and Andrew Vaughn miss time.
Currently, their biggest missing pieces are Jimenez, Vaughn, Lynn, Moncada, and Kelly, with Moncada expected to return from the IL on Monday.
Despite the injuries, Chicago has come together to get back to .500, mostly behind a dominant pitching staff. The White Sox have allowed a total of 13 runs in the last seven games, with six of those 13 coming against the Angels.
Hendriks returned on April 30 from a short absence due to back tightness and has allowed zero runs and zero hits with nine strikeouts and five saves in his last six appearances.
In the place of Jimenez, Moncada, and Vaughn, Adam Engel, Jake Burger, and Gavin Sheets have held serve at the bottom of the order.
Luis Robert is hitting .500 in May and has nine hits, two home runs, and five RBI since returning from a quad injury on April 29.
Veteran Dallas Kuechel will start on Sunday. Kuechel is struggling this season to the tune of an 8.40 ERA, 24 hits, and 11 walks against only eight strikeouts this season.
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