[April 15, 2014]The Boston Red Sox set the pace on
offense in the majors last season, but the Chicago White Sox are leading
the crowd in the early going of 2014. The White Sox will try to keep the
runs coming when they host the Red Sox in the opener of a three-game
series on Tuesday. Chicago's 80 runs scored were the most in the majors
through the weekend, and hot starts by Cuban teammates Jose Abreu and
Alexei Ramirez are leading the way.
Ramirez clubbed a two-run walk-off homer to beat the Cleveland
Indians 4-3 on Sunday and has hit safely in each of the first 13
games for an American League-leading .420 average. Abreu, a
27-year-old rookie, leads the team with four home runs and is among
the AL leaders with 14 RBIs thanks in part to players like Ramirez,
Adam Eaton and Conor Gillaspie getting on base in front of him.
Boston just got through dropping three of four to the rival New York
Yankees and averaged 2.8 runs in the four contests.
TV: 8:10 p.m. ET, NESN (Boston), WCIU (Chicago)
PITCHING MATCHUP: Red Sox RH Jake Peavy (0-0, 2.13 ERA) vs. White
Sox RH Erik Johnson (0-1, 9.58)
Peavy was sharp in each of his first two outings, allowing a total
of three runs while striking out 12 in 12 2/3 total innings. The
Alabama native was reached for a home run in each of those turns and
could not get enough help from his offense or bullpen in order to
notch a win. Peavy was acquired from the White Sox in a three-team
deal last season and made one start against his former team,
allowing two runs in seven innings to earn a win on Aug. 31.
Johnson was lit up for seven runs in 4 2/3 innings his first time
out and was only marginally better in his second chance,
surrendering four runs in 5 2/3 frames against Colorado last
Wednesday. Both of those starts came on the road, and the rookie
went 2-1 with a 3.00 ERA in three starts at home during a September
call-up last season. Johnson has never faced the Red Sox.
