Boston Red Sox vs. Chicago White Sox Picks and Prediction for Thursday, July 9, 2026
Use Code SSWC The Boston Red Sox visit the Chicago White Sox on Thursday at 2:10 PM ET at Rate Field in Chicago, Illinois. Boston enters with a 41-48 record and sits fourth in the AL East, while Chicago is 47-43 and leads the AL Central by one game over Cleveland. The Red Sox opened this series with an impressive 8-1 victory on Tuesday and have now won four of their last five games. Chicago had won two straight before that loss but remains in first place thanks to a productive offense that has powered the club throughout the season. Build your bankroll with our free MLB picks.
Boston Red Sox Looking to Stay Hot
Boston has been one of the more inconsistent offensive teams in the American League, batting .244 as a club while ranking in the middle of Major League Baseball. The Red Sox have scored 365 runs with 729 hits, 80 home runs, a .314 on-base percentage, and a .388 slugging percentage. Willson Contreras has anchored the lineup with a .287 batting average, 20 home runs, and 61 RBI while producing a .381 on-base percentage. Ceddanne Rafaela has collected a team-high 91 hits while batting .284, and Wilyer Abreu has added 10 home runs with 41 RBI..
The Red Sox have remained competitive because of their pitching staff. Boston ranks eighth in MLB with a 3.77 ERA and owns a 1.24 WHIP while holding opponents to a .240 batting average. The staff has recorded 762 strikeouts while consistently keeping games under control even when the offense has struggled. Boston allowed just one run in Tuesday's series opener.
Injuries: Nick Sogard, Nate Eaton, Ranger Suárez, Isiah Kiner-Falefa, Connelly Early.
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Chicago White Sox Looking to Protect First Place
Chicago has relied on power throughout the season, hitting 125 home runs while batting .241 as a team. The White Sox have scored 429 runs with 724 hits, a .320 on-base percentage, and a .414 slugging percentage. Colson Montgomery leads the club with 23 home runs, while Miguel Vargas has contributed 20 home runs and a team-high 56 RBI. Sam Antonacci is batting .291 with a .382 on-base percentage, and Tristan Peters is also hitting .291 to provide another steady presence near the top of the lineup. Chicago has averaged more than six runs per game over its last five contests.
The White Sox pitching staff has been solid but less consistent than Boston's. Chicago ranks 14th in MLB with a 4.21 ERA and a 1.34 WHIP while allowing opponents to hit .240. The staff has recorded 752 strikeouts but has occasionally struggled to limit home runs and big innings. Chicago will look for a bounce-back effort after surrendering eight runs in the series opener.
Injuries: Munetaka Murakami, Everson Pereira, Tyler Gilbert, Austin Hays, Jordan Leasure.
Pitching Matchup
Boston Red Sox – Patrick Sandoval
Sandoval is scheduled to make his season debut after missing the first half of the year. With no 2026 statistics available, Boston will hope the veteran left-hander can provide quality innings and help maintain the momentum created by the club's recent winning stretch.
Chicago White Sox – Anthony Kay
Kay enters with a 6-3 record, a 4.39 ERA, and a 1.39 WHIP across 84.0 innings. The left-hander has allowed 84 hits while striking out 67 batters and walking 33. Kay has delivered solid results overall despite allowing occasional hard contact and will look to rebound after Chicago's lopsided loss in the series opener.
Boston Red Sox vs. Chicago White Sox Game Pick
- Chicago White Sox
Chicago has been the more complete club throughout the season and still owns one of the American League's better offenses despite Tuesday's defeat. Kay has provided stability in the rotation, while the White Sox lineup features multiple hitters capable of changing the matchup with one swing. Boston's recent surge deserves respect, but Sandoval's first start of the season creates uncertainty. Chicago has the stronger overall matchup and is the play.
Boston Red Sox vs. Chicago White Sox Over/Under Pick
- Over
Boston enters with plenty of offensive momentum after scoring 30 runs across its last four victories, while Chicago continues to rank among the league leaders in home runs. Sandoval's return from a lengthy absence adds uncertainty for the Red Sox, and Kay has allowed enough baserunners to create scoring opportunities. With both lineups capable of producing runs, the over will cash
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