Lindstrom feeling strong despite heavy workload

BOSTON -- Any day off is a brief but necessary spot of rejuvenation for relief pitcher Matt Lindstrom, who entered Saturday tied with Joel Peralta for the American League lead in games pitched at 66.

Despite the heavy workload, Lindstrom reports no issues.

"I'm feeling really good," Lindstrom said. "My body is handling it pretty good this year. I just hope to keep getting better and make a final push through this last month of September and try to help the team win.

"I know that sounds cliché, but we have a really good bullpen and a really good group of guys down there. We are going to continue to learn and try to get better."

The White Sox purposely stayed away from Lindstrom during the second game of the Astros series, after the right-hander worked on Aug. 21, 22, 24 and 25 and pitched two innings on Aug. 18. Lindstrom had a team off-day Thursday and came back to throw a scoreless frame Friday at Fenway Park, one of 13 scoreless frames in 14 August appearances.

Along with the games pitched, Lindstrom sits atop the AL in double plays induced by relievers. In fact, Lindstrom's 15 leave him tied with Chris Sale for the team lead, even though Sale has thrown 126 more innings.

"Some years, you just have stupid weird stats like that," Lindstrom said. "I just incorporated a two-seam fastball. The movement on it has been good and I just to try not to throw it down the middle, but use good action on it and pound the zone with it.

"That's the key to it. I just consider it a benefit for me just trying to get those quick outs and hopefully we can flip the inning and create some momentum for our hitters and they can get going on the offensive side as opposed to being out there forever."