White Sox at Blue Jays
The Toronto Blue Jays and Chicago White Sox rank among the major's most homer-happy teams this season, and their first meeting certainly did not disappoint in that regard. One night after the teams combined to score all six of their runs via the long ball, the host Blue Jays and White Sox hope to flex their muscles yet again in the second of three-game set Tuesday.
Russell Martin delivered a go-ahead two-run blast while Josh Donaldson and Aledmys Diaz contributed solo shots to send Toronto to a third straight victory following Monday's 4-2 triumph over Chicago. Martin's home run propelled the Blue Jays to their third consecutive comeback victory - a stretch during which they have connected on six of their eight homers. The White Sox have belted an American League-high nine home runs despite playing only three games, six of which came during their 14-run outburst in an Opening Day win over the Kansas City Royals. Welington Castillo continued to be a thorn in the side of Toronto with two solo shots Monday after going deep five times against the Blue Jays in 2017 - his highest total against any opponent.
TV: 7:07 p.m. ET, NBCS Chicago Plus, Sportsnet (Toronto)
PITCHING MATCHUP: White Sox RH Miguel Gonzalez (2017: 8-13, 4.62 ERA) vs. Blue Jays LH J.A. Happ (0-1, 3.86)
Gonzalez went 1-3 with a 6.45 ERA over the final five games of 2017 with the Texas Rangers after he was traded by the White Sox on Aug. 31 before returning to Chicago on a one-year deal in January. The 33-year-old did not fare much better during exhibition play despite winning both of his decisions, posting a 5.40 ERA and 1.80 WHIP in four turns. Donaldson is 4-for-12 with three RBIs against Gonzalez, who is 7-4 with a 3.63 ERA in 15 games (14 starts) versus the Blue Jays.
Happ pitched better than his final line indicated in Thursday's Opening Day 6-1 loss against the New York Yankees, as Curtis Granderson's error on the first play of the game eventually led to Giancarlo Stanton's two-run homer. The Northwestern product departed after 4 2/3 innings and 96 pitches, giving up three runs (two earned) on four hits and a walk while striking out five. Happ toyed with the White Sox in two starts last season, winning both outings while posting a 2.63 ERA and striking out 19 in 13 2/3 frames.
WALK-OFFS
1. The Blue Jays have scored 13 of their 19 runs this season in the seventh inning or later.
2. Chicago 1B Jose Abreu went 3-for-4 in the series opener and is batting .374 over his last 23 games.
3. After serving as the DH in each of the last four games due to a "dead arm," Donaldson is expected to return to the third base Tuesday.