Whit Merrifield will be looking to extend his 16-game on-base streak as the Toronto Blue Jays (13-9) host the Chicago White Sox (7-15) at Rogers Centre on Monday for the opener of a three-game series. The White Sox are in the midst of a six-game road trip.
They were just swept in three games against the Rays, dropping the finale 4-1 on Sunday at Tropicana Field for their fourth straight loss. Eloy Jimenez was 1 for 3 with a double and one RBI.
The Blue Jays are back home for a six-game homestand after returning from a six-game road trip (3-3). They won two of three against the Yankees in their last series, taking the finale 5-1 on Sunday at Yankee Stadium.
Matt Chapman went 2 for 4 with a double and one run. The teams are meeting for the first time this season. In 2022, the Blue Jays won four of the six games between the teams, although they dropped two out of three in their most recent meeting at Guaranteed Rate Field in June.
ON THE MOUND
Lance Lynn (0-2, 7.31 ERA) is set to get the start for Chicago. The righty allowed five runs over 5.1 innings in his last start, a 7-4 road defeat against the Phillies on Tuesday. He was charged with the loss, scattering 10 hits while striking out seven and walking three.
Lynn made one start against the Blue Jays in 2022, an 8-7 home victory on June 20. He surrendered five runs on four hits over five innings, striking out five and walking two.
For Toronto, righty Chris Bassitt (2-2, 7.63 ERA) takes the mound. In his last start on Tuesday, Bassitt got the win on the road against the Astros. He threw 6.1 scoreless innings and gave up three hits, striking out five and walking one in the 4-2 triumph.
AT THE PLATE
The Chicago offense is averaging 4.3 runs per game for the season, with a slash line of .247/.306/.402. Yasmani Grandal leads the team in OPS at .845. The first baseman is slashing .281/.361/.484 with two home runs, seven RBIs, and six runs over 19 games.
Over the last five games, though, Chicago has averaged only 3.2 runs a game while slashing worse across the board (.170/.241/.321). Against righties like Bassitt this season, the Sox have a .713 OPS. Grandal also is the team’s most productive hitter against right-handers with a .928 OPS in 48 at-bats.
Toronto is slashing .259/.332/.403 for the season and averaging 4.5 runs per game. Chapman leads the team with a 1.115 OPS. The shortstop has five home runs, 17 RBIs, and 14 runs scored with a slash line of .360/.435/.680.
The Jays have a .741 OPS against right-handers in 2023. With a .997 OPS over 50 at-bats, Chapman also has been their best hitter against right-handers.
HOME AND AWAY
Chicago is on a five-game losing streak in road games, bringing their record to 4-9 in 2023. The Sox have scored 4.2 runs per game away from home, while allowing 4.8 runs.
Toronto has gone 4-2 in front of their home fans this season, averaging 4.3 runs per game while surrendering 3.7. Toronto is 6-4 in the last 10 games between the teams at Rogers Centre despite an average scoreline favoring Chicago (4.3-4.2).
STANDINGS UPDATE
The White Sox are fourth in the AL Central, four games behind the division-leading Twins. The Blue Jays are fourth in the AL East, six games behind the Rays.
SportsTips’ MLB Pick:
Toronto Blue Jays (-165)
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*Odds correct at time of publication, courtesy of BetMGM.
