• Preview
• Recap
• Bleachers

Beckett tries to become first 16-game winner

Aug 23, 2007 - 1:24 PM Boston (76-51) at Chi White Sox (56-70) 8:11 pm EDT

CHICAGO (Ticker) - The Boston Red Sox visit the Chicago White Sox on Thursday for the opener of a four-game series.

The Red Sox narrowly missed a sweep of the Tampa Devil Rays on Wednesday, suffering a 2-1 loss. Despite the setback, Boston still holds a five-game lead over the New York Yankees (71-56) in the American League East.

Boston will turn to its All-Star in hopes of avoiding consecutive defeats.

Josh Beckett (15-5, 3.15 ERA) will take his second shot at win No. 16, which would lead the major leagues. One of the frontrunners in a crowded battle for the American League Cy Young award this season, the 27-year-old righthhander has been sharp of late, allowing a total of four earned runs over his last three outings.

Since coming over to the Red Sox prior to the 2006 season, Beckett is 2-0 against the White Sox. On July 20 at Fenway Park, he held Chicago to three runs and four hits in six innings, striking out 10.

The White Sox will counter with rookie lefthander John Danks (6-11, 5.30). The 22-year-old has dropped his last five decisions, including a start on July 21 against Boston in which he yielded four runs and seven hits in six frames.

Chicago is coming off a series win over the Kansas City Royals. The two wins kept them out of sole possession of last place in the American League Central.