Chicago's group has quietly caught fire of its own, going 4-1 in its last 5 with wins over the Yankees and a series in Tampa that included a 9-1 laugher. It's the kind of stretch that's kept the White Sox squarely in the mix rather than fading as the calendar flips to August, and it sets up a genuinely compelling series opener rather than a get-right game for either side.


The injury math still favors Boston getting through this stretch. Roman Anthony is progressing in his rehab, Curtis Mead's wrist fracture will be reevaluated in a month, and while the rotation is missing Garrett Crochet, Tanner Houck and Johan Oviedo, this lineup has scored at will lately regardless of who's on the mound. Chicago's issue is thinner depth — the outfield picture in particular is banged up with Montgomery day-to-day and both Austin Hays and Brooks Baldwin still working back from injury.

- Day-To-DayBraden Montgomery (RF) — The White Sox scratched Montgomery from the lineup for Sunday's game against the Rays.08/02
- 10-Day-ILKyle Teel (C) — Teel is expected to miss 6-to-12 weeks due to left high-ankle sprain, MLB.com reports.07/22
- 60-Day-ILJordan Leasure (RP) — Leasure (forearm) has resumed throwing bullpen sessions, MLB.com reports.08/01
- 60-Day-ILDrew Thorpe (SP) — Thorpe (elbow) will make his next rehab start with Triple-A Charlotte on Tuesday, Scott Merkin of MLB.com reports.07/31
- 60-Day-ILAustin Hays (LF) — Hays (calf) will begin a rehab assignment with Triple-A Charlotte on Friday, LaMond Pope of the Chicago Tribune reports.07/17
- 60-Day-ILPrelander Berroa (RP) — The White Sox announced Saturday that Berroa (elbow) will start throwing again in 1-to-2 weeks, MLB.com reports.07/07
- 60-Day-ILKy Bush (SP) — Bush (elbow) has resumed participating in long toss, MLB.com reports.07/05
- 60-Day-ILMike Vasil (RP) — The White Sox transferred Vasil (elbow) from the 15-day injured list to the 60-day IL on Tuesday.05/08
- 60-Day-ILTanner Murray (LF) — The White Sox transferred Murray (shoulder) to the 60-day injured list Monday.05/08
- 60-Day-ILBrooks Baldwin (LF) — The White Sox transferred Baldwin (elbow) from the 10-day injured list to the 60-day IL on Wednesday.05/08

- 10-Day-ILAdley Rutschman (C) — The Red Sox acquired Rutschman (wrist), Jake Rogers and cash from the Orioles on Monday in exchange for catcher Carlos Narvaez, right-handers Anthony Eyanson and Kyson Witherspoon, outfielder Enddy Azocar and a player to be named later, Jake Rill of MLB.com reports.08/03
- 10-Day-ILCurtis Mead (3B) — Mead has a nondisplaced left wrist fracture and will be reimaged in four weeks, Ian Browne of MLB.com reports.07/31
- 10-Day-ILIsiah Kiner-Falefa (2B) — Kiner-Falefa (forearm) has been cleared to start his hitting progression with dry swings, Tim Healey of The Boston Globe reports.07/20
- 60-Day-ILRoman Anthony (LF) — Interim Red Sox manager Chad Tracy said Thursday that Anthony (finger) has started swinging a bat again, Christopher Smith of MassLive.com reports.07/31
- 60-Day-ILGarrett Crochet (SP) — Crochet (lat/shoulder) said Tuesday that he and the Red Sox training staff have no timeline in mind for when he'll be cleared to restart his throwing program, Christopher Smith of MassLive.com reports.07/22
- 60-Day-ILZack Kelly (RP) — The Red Sox recalled Kelly (elbow) from Triple-A Worcester and placed him on the 60-day injured list Tuesday, Tim Healey of The Boston Globe reports.07/21
- 60-Day-ILTrevor Story (SS) — Story (sports hernia) told reporters Monday that "sometime in August is in play" for him to embark on a rehab assignment, Tim Healey of The Boston Globe reports.07/20
- 60-Day-ILTanner Houck (SP) — Houck (elbow) has started throwing two bullpen sessions per week, MLB.com reports.07/17
- 60-Day-ILJohan Oviedo (SP) — Oviedo (elbow) will throw a bullpen session next week, Chris Cotillo of MassLive.com reports.07/17
- 60-Day-ILKutter Crawford (SP) — The Red Sox announced June 29 that Crawford (forearm) has been throwing plyometric balls during workouts at the team's spring training facility in Florida, MLB.com reports.07/06
- 60-Day-ILTriston Casas (1B) — Red Sox interim manager Chad Tracy said Saturday that Casas (abdomen/knee) has been shut down from hitting due to a wrist issue, Tim Healey of The Boston Globe reports.07/06
It's a matchup of momentum against momentum, and with both bullpens getting real usage the last two weeks, this one has the look of a series that could tighten up fast even if the opener doesn't.