Boston Red Sox vs. Chicago White Sox Predictions, Picks and MLB Preview – May 5, 2016

With Baltimore’s humiliating loss to the New York Yankees on Wednesday, the Boston Red Sox have now grabbed sole possession of first place in the American League East. The Red Sox will look to fortify their grip on that top spot when they take on the Chicago White Sox in the final game of their three-game series tonight.

Who will grab the edge in this pivotal matchup? Read on below for an in-depth breakdown of this clash and while you’re at it, you can check out our preview of the game between the New York Yankees and the Baltimore Orioles.

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Boston Red Sox vs. Chicago White Sox Preview

Where: US Cellular Field, Chicago

When: Thursday, May 5, 8:10 PM ET

Line: Boston Red Sox (-110) at Chicago White Sox (EVEN); total: 9.0 – view all MLB lines

Betting on the Boston Red Sox (16-11)

The Boston Red Sox returned to winning ways Wednesday with a thrilling 5-2 victory against the Chicago White Sox. David Ortiz was the hero for the Red Sox, blasting his 509th home run in the fifth inning to put Boston ahead for good. The Red Sox will look to sustain the momentum from that huge win when they take on the White Sox in their series finale tonight.

Pitching for the Red Sox this evening is Henry Owens (0-0, 4.82 ERA). He was solid in his last start, allowing just two runs on six hits in six innings of work in Boston’s 4-2 win against the New York Yankees on Friday. It was a huge bounce-back performance by Owens who will be making his first career start in Chicago tonight.

Given Owens’ unfamiliarity with US Cellular Field, the pressure is on the Red Sox hitters to deliver the goods tonight. Fortunately for the Red Sox, they have the red-hot Ortiz and Xander Bogaerts on their side tonight. Ortiz is 7-of-23 in his last six games with three homers, six RBIs and two walks.  Bogaerts, on the other hand, is hitting .458 (11-of-24) in his last six appearances for Boston with two RBIs and four walks.

The Red Sox are 4-1 in their last five road games. They are priced at +1,200 to win the World Series this year.

Betting on the Chicago White Sox (19-9)

The Chicago White Sox had their three-game winning streak snapped on Wednesday with a gut-wrenching loss to the Boston Red Sox at US Cellular Field. Carlos Rodon gave up three runs and six hits over six innings as the White Sox failed to win their 20th game and match the crosstown Cubs for most victories in the majors this season.

The White Sox will look to finally reach that 20-win plateau tonight when they take on the Red Sox in their much-anticipated series finale. Starting for Chicago in this rubber match is Erik Johnson. This will be the right-hander’s first start on the major league stage this year. Johnson was 1-1 with a 3.74 ERA in four starts at Triple-A Louisville. He owns an ugly 4.17 ERA and a 1.55 WHIP in 86.1 career major league innings.

With Johnson still a big question mark at this point, the White Sox hitters have to step it up at the plate tonight. Expected to lead the Chicago offense this evening is the sizzling Jose Abreu. The Cuban national has an eight-game hitting streak, batting .438 with 10 RBIs since April 26. He crushed a 402-foot two-run homer against Clay Buchholz last night, his fourth long ball of the season. Abreu leads the White Sox in RBIs (19) this season.

The White Sox are 4-1 in their last five home games. They are pegged at +700 to win the American League pennant.

Writer’s Prediction

Chicago (EVEN) wins, 7-4.