The Chicago White Sox needed to find a way to beat the Toronto Blue Jays since the teams are in the midst of seven games against each other in 10 days.
They did just that Saturday, defeating the host Blue Jays 7-2 thanks in part to four hits from James McCann. Now comes the rubber match of the three-game series that ends Sunday afternoon.
The Blue Jays have won seven of their past 10 games against the White Sox.
The White Sox will start right-hander Lucas Giolito (3-1, 4.06 ERA) against Blue Jays right-hander Aaron Sanchez (3-3, 3.21) in the series finale.
Giolito will make his seventh start of the season. He is 1-0 with a 1.80 ERA over his past three starts, dating to April 17. He earned a win Tuesday at Cleveland with eight strikeouts in 7 1/3 innings as part of a 2-0 win over the Indians.
In 2018, Giolito led the White Sox with 10 wins in his first full major league season and was one of three American League pitchers age 24 or younger to record at least 32 starts and 170 innings pitched, joining teammate Reynaldo Lopez (24) and the New York Yankees' Luis Severino (24). He will be making his second start against Toronto and his first at the Rogers Centre.
He did not factor in the decision against the Blue Jays on July 28, when he allowed five earned runs in 4 1/3 innings.
Sanchez will make his ninth start of the season. He did not factor in the decision in his only start against the White Sox last season, allowing six hits, two walks and three runs while striking out seven in six innings. In four career starts against the White Sox, he is 0-0 with a 3.07 ERA.
The Blue Jays were embroiled in some internal controversy Saturday. Starting pitcher Marcus Stroman complained openly to manager Charlie Montoyo and pitching coach Pete Walker after being removed from the game in the seventh inning.
Montoyo said the issue has been discussed and settled.
"I like it when pitchers get upset when I take them out," he said. "That's what I want. I don't want a guy to be happy. That's one thing I like about this group, even the position players, when they're not playing, they get mad at me, which I love it."
The Blue Jays so far have been able to stifle hot-hitting White Sox first baseman Jose Abreu, who was 0-for-5 with three strikeouts Saturday.
Despite going 1-for-9 with a double in the first two games of the series, Abreu is hitting .357 (29-for-82) with six homers, eight doubles, six walks and 25 RBI over his past 20 games.
"He knows who he is," White Sox manager Rick Renteria said.
"He trusts the routine he has, he's very consistent whether he's getting hits or not, or whether the outcome is what you want it to be. He knows what he's supposed to do, he understands who he is, and continues to follow the routines that he has."
The Blue Jays, who put right-hander Clay Buchholz (sore shoulder) on the injured list Friday, were looking for experienced help for the rotation and acquired right-hander Edwin Jackson on Saturday from the Oakland A's for cash considerations. He will be playing for his 14th team, a major league record.
"We didn't want to bring somebody up who has been struggling in the minors," Montoyo said.
--Field Level Media