The Chicago White Sox opened the second half of the season with five losses in their first six games but they've won seven straight since. I think they'll keep the surge going and complete the sweep of a four-game set against the Boston Red Sox making it eight wins on the bounce Thursday night.

Here are my keys to the game:

1. Pitching - The Red Sox hand the ball to Steven Wright (3-4, 4.78) who's really struggled since returning the rotation allowing 10 runs (eight earned) on 11 hits and five walks over 9 1/3 innings in two starts. He's served up three homers over those two games and 1.7 per nine innings for the year. The White Sox will counter with their ace Chris Sale (9-5, 2.85 ERA) who has 65 strikeouts in his last seven starts and a 2.17 ERA in his last five. He's 1-0 with an 0.89 ERA and 22 strikeouts in 20 1/3 innings against the Red Sox in his career.

2. Situational - The White Sox have won nine of their last 11 when facing a pitcher with a WHIP above 1.30 and they're 6-0 in their last six road games against a right-handed starter. The Red Sox have lost eight straight games when coming in as an underdog.

3. X-Factor - Melky Cabrera will face Wright for the first time but he's 9-for-16 in the series and has recorded multiple hits in seven straight games overall.

Selection: This is a play on the Chicago White Sox (8*)