Red Sox ride momentum of rout into rematch vs. Cubs

The Boston Red Sox look to build upon a season-high offensive performance when they conclude a three-game weekend series against the Chicago Cubs on Sunday night.

Ceddanne Rafaela led the way going 4-for-4 with seven RBIs and finished a triple shy of the cycle in a 17-0 Saturday win, but Boston's stars were numerous.

Masataka Yoshida matched Rafaela with four hits as the Red Sox piled up 21 as a team. Tyler O'Neill began the scoring with his ninth home run of the season on his 3-for-5 day, while Bobby Dalbec drove in three.

Coupled with a five-pitcher shutout that included hitless two-inning stints from Justin Slaten and Cam Booser, there was plenty to excite Boston manager Alex Cora.

"It was a good game all around," Cora said. "(Friday) wasn't a great game and to be able to win (on Saturday) and we got a shot to win the series, that's fun."

Rafaela became just the fourth Red Sox player to record at least seven RBIs at his age (23 years, 222 days old) or younger.

"It's good to see the hard work pay off," Rafaela said. "And the plan pays off. We came on the field and executed the plan. I think that's awesome."

Boston's Tanner Houck (3-2, 1.65 ERA) returns to the mound for the first time since taking a Tuesday loss at Cleveland despite throwing six scoreless innings and then allowing two in the seventh. The righty allowed just five hits and three walks while striking out four.

Two starts ago, however, Houck threw the first complete-game shutout by a Red Sox pitcher since 2022 when he allowed just three hits to the Guardians on only 94 pitches.

"That was the goal, being able to pitch deeper into games this year and to see lineups three times," Houck said.

Houck's only two career appearances against the Cubs have come in relief, including a scoreless ninth inning on July 3, 2022.

The Cubs had their four-game win streak snapped and were shut out for the first time this season on Saturday. Just one of their five hits -- a Pete Crow-Armstrong double -- went for extra bases.

As the runs kept mounting, the focus quickly shifted for manager Craig Counsell's team.

"When it's that score, you've got to start thinking about tomorrow, absolutely," Counsell said following Saturday's game. "So, they beat us. On to the next day."

Jordan Wicks was set to face the Red Sox for the first time on Sunday after dealing his longest start of the season en route to a Tuesday win over Houston, but he was scratched due to forearm tightness.

Instead, right-hander Hayden Wesneski (2-0, 0.00) will make his first start since last July and his first career start against the Red Sox. He has thrown 6 1/3 scoreless, one-hit innings as a reliever this season.

The Cubs also appeared to avoid another injury situation with third baseman Christopher Morel, who collided with left fielder Alexander Canario while tracking a pop fly in the seventh inning on Saturday.

"A little banged up, but I feel good," Morel said through an interpreter.

During Saturday's game, the Red Sox acquired 33-year-old first baseman/outfielder Garrett Cooper from the Cubs in exchange for cash considerations and transferred first baseman Triston Casas (left rib strain) to the 60-day injured list.