Chris Sale (6-4, 2.87 ERA) and the Chicago White Sox (36-43) go up against Mark Buehrle (9-4, 3.64 ERA) and the Toronto Blue Jays (43-41) in the first of a four-game series at U.S. Cellular Field. The game starts at 8:10 p.m. ET on Monday, Jul. 6 and will air on RSN and CSN-CHI.
Sale has a 2.84 ERA and a 1-2 record in his career against the Blue Jays, but faces a strong Toronto offense that’s hitting .267 on the year. Jose Abreu (.293, 47 Rs, 14 HRs, 44 RBIs) went 1 for 4 yesterday with one run. In his pitching opportunities against the White Sox, Buehrle is 1-1 with a 3.20 ERA, 11 strikeouts and four walks. Chris Colabello (.335, 34 Rs, 7 HRs, 31 RBIs, 2 SBs) has been hitting the ball well for the Blue Jays, going 2 for 4 yesterday with one run, one home run, and two RBIs.
Chicago, a -155 favorite, will look to capitalize at home against Toronto. The Over/Under (O/U) for the matchup is seven runs. The White Sox are 21-15 as the favorite and have an overall money line of -799. They are 3-1 as the favorite over their last 10 games. The have been extremely effective at striking opposing batters out at U.S. Cellular Field, averaging 8.7 strikeouts per home game.
On the other side, the Blue Jays have a record of 16-23 when they are the underdog and are -272 overall with the money line. They sport the top-ranked offense in the AL, averaging 5.4 runs per game. Toronto is one of the top hitting teams in the AL with an average of 9.0 hits per contest.
In their previous three games this season, the Blue Jays have a 2-1 record. This game will feature Buehrle (LHP) on the mound against the White Sox, who have a 5-10 record when they take on a left-handed starter. The left-handed Sale will take the mound against the Blue Jays, who have an 11-7 record against lefty starters this season.
Predictions: SU Winner – TOR, O/U – Over
Notes
When leading after 7 innings, Toronto is 25-18, while Chicago is 14-15.
Having scored one run in their last game, the White Sox are going to have to up their game if they want to win this matchup. The Blue Jays have an 11-0 record in games where opponents scored that many runs or fewer.
When they are outhit, the Blue Jays are 6-32. The White Sox have a 7-34 record when opponents outhit them.
Chicago ranks near the bottom of the league at 27th when it comes to home runs, hitting 58 this season. Toronto ranks in the top five at second with 110.
Ranking 11th, Chicago is in the top half of the league in hits, notching 8.23 per game. Toronto ranks in the top five at third with 8.99.
Ranking first in on-base plus slugging percentage, Toronto has an OPS of .783 this season. Chicago ranks 29th with an OPS of .653.
When the Blue Jays allow at least one home run, they are 27-29. When the White Sox allow one or more homers, they have a 19-30 record.
