Blue Jays look to close out White Sox, extend win streak

A 10-game winning streak has vaulted the Toronto Blue Jays to the top of the American League East standings while raising the club’s confidence.

“Once I wake up, I just can’t wait to get to the field to be with my teammates,” Blue Jays first baseman Vladimir Guerrero Jr. said. “It’s been unbelievable. It’s what any manager wants, a team like that and a culture like that.”

Riding Toronto’s best tear since the 2015 team won 11 in a row, the visiting Blue Jays will aim to extend their streak and secure a sweep of the Chicago White Sox on Wednesday afternoon.

Chicago took two of three games in Toronto from June 20-22. The Jays have won 13 of 15 since.

A five-run third inning triggered Tuesday’s 6-1 victory, which was shortened to seven innings due to rain.

Eight Blue Jays starters contributed at least one hit, with George Springer, Alejandro Kirk, Joey Loperfido and Guerrero delivering two apiece. The Blue Jays improved to 54-38, setting a franchise record for most wins before the All-Star break.

Chicago has lost six of eight after closing June with a series victory against visiting San Francisco.

White Sox leadoff hitter Mike Tauchman continues to provide a bright spot. He opened Tuesday’s game with a double, and he had three hits in a series-opening 8-4 loss on Monday. He is batting .414 (12-for-29) with four RBIs in the past seven games.

Center fielder Luis Robert Jr. had a hit in his return to the lineup. The White Sox reinstated Robert (strained left hamstring) from the 10-day injured list before the game.

Veteran right-hander Adrian Houser (4-2, 1.60 ERA) will start for the White Sox on the heels of Friday’s gem at Colorado, when he scattered four hits and two unearned runs in a season-high eight innings of a 3-2 victory.

Houser has been dominant since joining the White Sox in late May, especially lately, allowing no earned runs over 15 innings in consecutive victories against San Francisco and Colorado.

A free agent at season’s end, Houser has helped “protect our young arms,” as general manager Chris Getz had hoped. Whether he continues to do so for the White Sox or provides a return in the trade market remains to be seen.

“First and foremost, it’s my job to continue to build this organization, and have this, I would say, long-term view,” Getz said. “But weighing the protection of these young arms and perhaps acquiring some future assets that they can help you win some games in the future. It’s not a straightforward answer. It isn’t.”

Houser is 0-2 with a 7.02 ERA in three career starts against Toronto. He’ll oppose left-hander Eric Lauer (4-1, 2.65), who will face the White Sox for the first time.

Lauer has won two of his five starts since joining the rotation full time on June 11. In his most recent outing, a no-decision against the Los Angeles Angels on Friday, he scattered two runs and three hits in a season-high six innings. The Blue Jays won 4-3 in 10 innings.

–Field Level Media