Andrew Benintendi Struggles Against Boston's Pitching as Red Sox Dominate White Sox

The Chicago White Sox face another test against a Boston Red Sox team riding an unprecedented offensive surge. Andrew Benintendi, the White Sox outfielder, enters the matchup with a career .379 batting average but just 11 hits in 29 at-bats (a .379 average in limited contact) against Red Sox starter Sonny Gray. The Red Sox have now extended their winning streak to 15 consecutive games against teams that entered with winning records, fueled by explosive offensive performances.

Red Sox Offensive Momentum

Boston's lineup has created extraordinary offensive conditions over the past two games. In Tuesday's 14-2 victory, the Red Sox produced a season-high four home runs for the second consecutive game, including a first-career grand slam from Caleb Durbin and a pair of homers from Wilyer Abreu. The team accumulated 15 hits and posted dual six-run innings, allowing interim manager Chad Tracy to provide rest days to center fielder Ceddanne Rafaela and first baseman Willson Contreras.

Over the past 30 days, Boston's offense ranks fifth in Major League Baseball with a weighted runs created plus (wRC+) rating of 116, where 100 represents league average. Willson Contreras has emerged as the lineup's catalyst, posting a 177 wRC+ while hitting .296 with eight home runs over his last 106 plate appearances. Wilyer Abreu leads the team with nine home runs in the past month despite carrying a .204 batting average in that same span.

White Sox Struggles and Pitching Matchup

Chicago has dropped six of its last 11 games and owns baseball's fifth-worst wRC+ rating of 84 over the past 30 days. The White Sox have lost five straight games to Boston. White Sox right-hander Sean Burke, who has strung together seven quality starts in eight recent outings and ranks tied for sixth in the American League with 140 strikeouts, will oppose Gray at Fenway Park.

Gray enters with a 13-2 record and 2.93 ERA this season, posting a 7-2 record with a 3.26 ERA across 14 career games against the White Sox. Burke boasts a 3.04 ERA through his 7-5 record. However, forecasts suggest unfavorable conditions for Burke, an extreme fly-ball pitcher with a 36.4% ground-ball rate, as wind is expected to blow toward left-center field and the Green Monster.