Red Sox Aim to Avoid Sweep Against Former Ace Crochet’s White Sox

CHICAGO — The Boston Red Sox will look to avoid a three-game sweep against the Chicago White Sox this Sunday at 2:10 p.m. ET as they turn to ace left-hander Garrett Crochet to halt a troubling stretch. The matchup marks Crochet’s first appearance against his former team after being traded from Chicago to Boston in December.

Entering the weekend series, the White Sox (4-10) were in the midst of an eight-game losing streak, but they broke free on Saturday with a dramatic 3-2 walk-off victory over the Red Sox. Right fielder Brooks Baldwin delivered the decisive hit, reflecting the team’s newfound determination. “It’s never give up, never give in and always fight,” Baldwin said. “It’s all around us in the clubhouse, and it’s awesome.”

In contrast, Boston (7-9) has struggled recently, losing five of its last six games, scoring just 11 runs during that span. Manager Alex Cora noted, “At the end of the day, we have to start hitting. We know that.” Cora’s lineup saw a notable shift Sunday as Wilyer Abreu moved to cleanup after posting a .362 average with three home runs, while Triston Casas slid down to the sixth spot after struggling to find his rhythm.

Sunday’s matchup features Crochet (1-1, 1.45 ERA), who has been solid despite the team’s recent performance. He has amassed 17 strikeouts in 18 2/3 innings this season. “I’m chasing greatness every time I touch the mound. Everybody is,” Crochet said, emphasizing his competitive drive.

On the mound for the White Sox will be rookie right-hander Shane Smith (0-0, 1.54 ERA), who is also looking for his first major league victory. Smith has impressed in his previous outing against the Cleveland Guardians, throwing six scoreless innings. “It was nasty,” Chicago’s manager Will Venable remarked on Smith’s performance. “He was mixing it up and did a really good job.”

The Red Sox lineup includes Jarren Duran leading off, followed by Rafael Devers, Alex Bregman, Abreu, Trevor Story, Casas, Kristian Campbell, Carlos Narváez, and Ceddanne Rafaela. Notably, Duran returns to the leadoff spot after a day of rest.

Interestingly, during the White Sox’s eight-game losing streak leading into this series, the team averaged only two runs per game, a statistic that highlights their offensive struggles. Meidroth, who was part of the trade that sent Crochet to Boston, made an impact in his major league debut, scoring two runs on Friday.

The weather in Chicago is pleasant, which is expected to draw a decent crowd to Rate Field as fans look forward to witnessing what could be a pivotal game for both teams. Amidst the tension of an underperforming start to the season, both teams remain hopeful for a much-needed turnaround.

As the Red Sox aim to turn the tide against the White Sox’s renewed momentum, the matchup holds significant implications for both teams. First pitch is scheduled for 2:10 p.m. ET, with television coverage on NESN and radio coverage on WEEI-FM 93.7.