Chicago @ Boston preview

Last Meeting ( Jul 16, 2012 ) Chi. White Sox 1, Boston 5

Carl Crawford is back, but now David Ortiz could be out for the Boston Red Sox. The most injury-prone team in the majors keeps taking hits to its everyday lineup, with Ortiz the latest to go down. The All-Star slugger strained an Achilles rounding second base on Monday, an injury manager Bobby Valentine said would leave him out “days.” That’s good news for the Chicago White Sox and right-hander Philip Humber, who will start on Tuesday at Fenway Park.

Winners of 11 of 15 entering the All-Star break, the White Sox have dropped two of three while struggling to score runs. Chicago has totaled six runs in the last three games and managed only five hits - three by former Red Sox infielder Kevin Youkilis - in Monday’s 5-1 setback. Boston is trending in the opposite direction. After dropping five straight heading into the break, the Red Sox have won three of four. They have totaled 12 runs in the last two games, with Adrian Gonzalez finally tapping into some power in the form of a three-run homer on Monday.

TV: 7:10 p.m. ET, WCIU (Chicago), NESN (Boston)

PITCHING MATCHUP: White Sox RH Philip Humber (3-4, 6.01 ERA) vs. Red Sox LH Jon Lester (5-6, 4.49)

Humber has been on the disabled list since June 17 with a strained flexor in his right elbow and will be activated Tuesday after three rehab starts. The right-hander posted a 7.47 ERA in 10 starts before the disabled list stint, with the worst coming against the Red Sox on April 26. Humber was lit up for nine runs on eight hits - three home runs - in five innings to absorb a loss. He owns an 8.83 ERA in three career starts against Boston.

Another pitcher trying to put the first half behind him is Lester, who failed to find any sort of consistency. The former All-Star struggled the second time through lineups, posting a 7.42 ERA in the third and fourth innings combined. He had one of his best starts at Chicago on April 28, tossing seven scoreless innings to earn the win. Lester is 4-3 with a 4.56 ERA in eight career starts against the White Sox.

WALK-OFFS

1. Ortiz is riding an 11-game hitting streak. His 10 straight games with at least one hit and one walk are thought to be the most in franchise history.

2. White Sox DH Adam Dunn homered in three straight games over the weekend but went 0-for-4 on Monday. He did not strike out, however, snapping a string of seven consecutive games with at least one punchout.

3. Chicago RHP Gavin Floyd (elbow/forearm) will not pitch in the series.