The Toronto Blue Jays begin their final week before the all-star break with a three-game series against the Chicago White Sox in the Windy City.
The Blue Jays’ three-series win streak came to an end on Canada Day weekend as the Boston Red Sox swept Toronto in a three-gamer at Rogers Centre.
Toronto is now a horrific 7-20 against American League East teams this season.
The good news for the Blue Jays is they don’t see another AL East opponent until they open a series against the Baltimore Orioles on July 31.
Here’s a look at the Blue Jays-White Sox series.
Probable Pitchers
Tuesday, 8:10 p.m. ET / 5:10 p.m. PT: Toronto RHP Chris Bassitt (8-5, 4.06 ERA) vs. Chicago RHP Lucas Giolito (6-5, 3.53 ERA)
Wednesday, 8:10 p.m. ET / 5:10 p.m. PT: Toronto RHP Jose Berrios (6-8, 3.74 ERA) vs. Chicago RHP Lance Lynn (5-8, 6.47 ERA)
Thursday, 8:10 p.m. ET / 5:10 p.m. PT: Toronto LHP Yusei Kikuchi (7-3, 4.08 ERA) vs. TBD
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Latest on the Blue Jays
The Blue Jays (45-40) lost the final two games against the Red Sox in heartbreaking fashion.
On Canada Day, Bo Bichette was thrown out at the plate by Red Sox outfielder Alex Verdugo after a Vladimir Guerrero Jr. single in the bottom of the ninth, denying Toronto the tying run and ending a 7-6 Boston win.
On Sunday, Verdugo played hero again, hitting Jordan Romano’s first pitch of the ninth out of the park to break a 4-4 tie and give the Red Sox a 5-4 win.
Suddenly, Toronto is now just two games ahead of the last-place Red Sox in the AL East.
Toronto trails the New York Yankees by two games in the race for the final wild-card spot.
Latest on the White Sox
The White Sox (37-49) aren’t good, but they play in a division where no team is over .500 — so their playoff hopes aren’t completely shot.
Chicago avoided a sweep at the hands of the lowly Oakland A’s with an 8-7 win on Sunday, concluding a California road trip with a 3-4 record.
The White Sox nearly coughed up an 8-3 lead before sealing the victory against the A’s.
Chicago’s offence stepped up in the last five games, scoring 38 runs on 58 hits and 26 walks.
The White Sox are fourth in the AL Central, six games behind the division-leading Minnesota Twins.
Star Search
White Sox centre-fielder Luis Robert Jr. is the lone Chicago player going to the All-Star Game next week. Robert, making his first ASG appearance, is fourth in the majors with 24 home runs.
Right-hander Kevin Gausman, Guerrero Jr., Bichette and second baseman Whit Merrifield will represent the Blue Jays in Seattle.
Short-Handed Staff
The White Sox have two normal starters sidelined by injuries — Michael Kopech (right shoulder inflammation) and Mike Clevinger (right biceps inflammation.
Reliever Liam Hendriks, who returned earlier this year after a battle with cancer, also is out with right elbow inflammation.
Season Series
The Blue Jays swept a three-game series against the White Sox at Rogers Centre in April, shutting out Chicago twice and giving up just two runs in the other game.
The same three starters (Bassitt, Berrios, Kikuchi) start this week’s games this series for Toronto.
Tough Times
It hasn’t been a fun season for Chicago’s two-time reigning all-star shortstop — Tim Anderson.
The eight-year veteran has a career-worst slashline of .231/.270/.267. He has no homers and 12 RBI.
The 2019 AL batting average leader also has missed time with shoulder and knee injuries this year.
There have been some positive signs recently, with Anderson having multi-hit games in two of his past four contests.
Up Next
The Blue Jays head to Detroit to face the Tigers before the all-star break.
