The Chicago White Sox (37-49) host the Toronto Blue Jays (45-40) at Guaranteed Rate Field on Tuesday to open a three-game series. The Blue Jays are playing their first of six games on the road after closing out a nine-game homestand (4-5).
They are coming off a three-game sweep at the hands of the Red Sox, dropping the finale 5-4 on Sunday at Rogers Centre. Brandon Belt was 2 for 4 with two solo home runs.
The White Sox are playing the first of six games at home after finishing up a seven-game road trip (3-4). They lost two of three against the Athletics in their last series, taking the finale 8-7 on Sunday at Oakland-Alameda County Coliseum. Jake Burger went 2 for 4 with a home run and two runs.
HEAD-TO-HEAD
The Blue Jays have won all three games this season between the teams, including an 8-0 victory in their most recent meeting on April 26 at Rogers Centre. Yusei Kikuchi threw 5.2 scoreless innings – striking out eight – to get the win.
ON THE MOUND
Chris Bassitt (8-5, 4.06 ERA) is set to get the start for Toronto. The right-hander is tied for fourth in the AL in wins. Bassitt threw six scoreless innings in his last start, a 2-1 road win over the Giants on Thursday.
He was credited with the win, scattering three hits while striking out 12 and walking three. Bassitt has made one previous start against the White Sox this season, a 5-2 home victory on April 24.
He surrendered two runs on three hits over 6.1 innings, striking out four and walking three. Righty Lucas Giolito (6-5, 3.53 ERA) is on the mound for Chicago.
It’s his first appearance of the season against the Blue Jays. Giolito made two appearances against the Blue Jays in 2022, both as the starter, striking out 11 and walking three over 9.2 innings (0-2, 12.10).
In his last start on Wednesday, Giolito got the win on the road against the Angels. He threw seven innings and gave up four runs on six hits, striking out nine, in the 11-5 victory.
AT THE PLATE
The Toronto offense is averaging 4.5 runs per game for the season, with a slash line of .261/.327/.418. Bo Bichette leads the team in OPS at .853.
The shortstop is slashing .317/.346/.507 with 15 home runs, 51 RBIs, and 43 runs over 84 games. Against right-handed pitchers like Giolito this season, the Jays have a .756 OPS.
Belt is the team’s best hitter against right-handers with a .847 OPS in 165 at-bats. Chicago is slashing .239/.299/.397 for the season and averaging 4.2 runs per game.
Luis Robert Jr. leads the team with a .912 OPS. The center fielder has 24 home runs, 46 RBIs, and 59 runs scored with a slash line of .276/.337/.575.
Chicago is averaging 7.6 runs per game in the last five with an improved slash line (.307/.391/.497). The Sox have a .685 OPS against right-handers in 2023, the fourth lowest in the league.
With a .846 OPS over 248 at-bats, Robert Jr. also has been their best hitter against right-handers.
HOME AND AWAY
Toronto is 22-22 in road games in 2023, scoring 4.6 runs per game while allowing 4.7 runs. Chicago has gone 20-20 at their home park this season, averaging 4.1 runs per game while surrendering 4.9.
Chicago is 6-4 in the last 10 games between the teams at Guaranteed Rate Field despite an average scoreline favoring Toronto (4.9-4.5).
STANDINGS UPDATE
The Blue Jays are fourth in the AL East, 11 games behind the division-leading Rays. The White Sox are fourth in the AL Central, five games behind the Twins.
SportsTips’ MLB Pick:
Toronto Blue Jays (-120)
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*Odds correct at time of publication, courtesy of BetMGM.
