Red Sox - White Sox Preview (May 4, 2016)

(Photo: Getty Images)

After a huge stinker last night, the Boston Red Sox and Chicago White Sox are back at it again, this time on ESPN at 8 o'clock ET. Jose Quintana was able to stifle this stout Red Sox lineup, holding them to one run (a Hanley Ramirez home run in the 5th) and four hits through eight innings. Fortunately for Boston, Steven Wright was able to put together another quality start, lasting for six innings while only giving up two runs. However, in typical Steven Wright-start fashion, the Red Sox weren't able to generate much offense against quietly one of the better pitchers in baseball. 

Tonight, the Red Sox have Clay Buchholz on the mound, who hopes to put together a good enough start to get his first win of the season. This start is crucial for Buchholz, as the team's confidence in the veteran right hander seems to be dwindling. If he is not able to quickly put things together, as Joe Kelly and Eduardo Rodriguez come back from injury, Buchholz could, and probably should, be the odd man out. 

For the White Sox, things are clicking on all cylinders. They are pitching as good as anyone in baseball, and could present a problem for the Boston Red Sox. However, tonight's starting pitcher, Carlos Rodon, is being thrusted into a start after the DFA of presumptive game 2 start John Danks. The White Sox's lineup hasn't really put it together yet, but Buchholz should help with that. 

Quiet Keys To The Game:

For the Red Sox:

• Get out to an early lead
  • The White Sox have one of the best bullpens in baseball and are on a hot streak. Enough said.
• Get Vazquez and Buchholz on the right page
  • Vazquez has made everyone in the rotation better, except Price and Buchholz, since his return from Tommy John surgery. If Buchholz wants to succeed tonight, trust Little Yadi. 
• Ride the Hanley Hot Train
  • Han-Ram hit an awesome opposite-field home run last night and seems to be heating up at the plate. Try to get runners on base when he is up with an aggressive playing style. 

For The White Sox: 

• Rodon's confidence
  • Because he wasn't supposed to start, he may be shaky to start the game. Show confidence in him and get out to an early lead. 
• Try to get Abreu and Frazie hot
  • To start the season, the White Sox's two best hitters have been quiet. It would be great for them to get going, especially against such a good Boston offense. 
• Don't give the Red Sox momentum
  • When hot, the Red Sox have one of the best lineups in baseball. Don't let them get hot and blow this game open. 

*You can catch the game on ESPN, NESN and on the radio on WEEI. 

Red Sox:
Betts RF
Pedroia 2B
Bogaerts SS
Ortiz DH
Ramirez 1B
Young LF
Shaw 3B
Vazquez C
Bradley Jr. CF

​Buchholz RHP (0-3, 6.51 ERA)

White Sox:
Eaton RF
Rollins SS
Abreu 1B
Frazier 3B
Cabrera LF
Lawrie 2B
Sands DH
Navarro C
Jackson CF
​
Rodon LHP (1-3, 4.33 ERA)

Pete Packowski
​@Pete_BBS