The August 23rd White Sox at Blue Jays meeting is a toss up according to oddsmakers who have set the price for both teams at -110. Chicago is making the jaunt North after a weekend series in Tampa Bay in which they dropped 2 of 3 to the Rays. Toronto still holds on to faint playoff hopes, just 4.5 back for the wild card despite losing 7 of their last 9.
Neither team has a ton of momentum coming into Monday’s tilt, but it looks at the very least like a solid pitching matchup with Lance Lynn (10-3, 2.33 ERA) and Alek Manoah (5-2, 3.34 ERA) taking the bump. The total for this contest is 8.5, because these are also two top 10 scoring offenses.
Will Chicago Get Up For This One?
The White Sox will play on different sides of North America on consecutive days, making the 1,300 mile trip up to Toronto after dropping their last two in Tampa Bay. Chicago looked completely disinterested on Sunday, falling 9-0 to the Rays as +111 underdogs.
Chicago’s offense struck out 4 times in 2.0 IP against Chris Archer on Sunday even though the Tampa pitcher was making his first start since April. The White Sox have looked like a different team without table center Tim Anderson in the lineup, as he’s sat out the last two games to rest sore legs. Anderson was 3-6 with a HR and scored 4 runs in the White Sox 5-4 win over Tampa Bay on Friday. Anderson is questionable for the August 23rd White Sox at Blue Jays matchup.
One of the big reasons to like Chicago on Monday night is because Lynn is taking the hill trying to solidify his Cy Young resume. The big right-hander is on a run of five straight no-decisions, but has held three opponents to a run or less over that span. Lynn allowed 1 ER over 7.0 IP in what ended up being a 6-2 Toronto win back in June.
Blue Jays Need a Boost
Toronto had a very underwhelming weekend, dropping 2 of 3 at home to Detroit while scoring a total of just 7 runs. The Blue Jays ended up going 1 for 31 with runners in scoring position against a Tigers squad that is in the bottom 1/3 in team ERA on the year.
Toronto’s offense needs to find itself which is going to be tough up against Lynn. Some Blue Jays batters have had success in extensive appearances against Lynn though, led by Marcus Semien who is 8 for 22 (.364) in his career vs. the right-hander. Randal Grichuk is also 3 for 10 with 2 HR vs. the Chicago starter.
Rookie Alek Manoah makes his second start of the year vs. the White Sox, having success with just 1 ER allowed over 5.0 IP even in a ND in the same matchup against Lynn. Manoah has a 1.50 ERA in two starts at the Rogers Centre this season.
Free August 23rd White Sox at Blue Jays Pick
This one could go either way considering both pitchers should have a solid performance on Monday. That means the only play in this one is on banking on those pitchers while taking the under.
White Sox 4 – Blue Jays 3
Free Pick: Under 8.5
