Regardless of how today's game between the Chicago White Sox and Toronto Blue Jays plays out, the White Sox have had one of their most successful first halves in recent memory. But a win today at U.S. Cellular would be the proverbial icing, as the White Sox would end the first half with a six-game winning streak.
White Sox star Chris Sale was slated to be on the mound today, but his start is being skipped, partly to rest him and partly so that he can throw an inning in next week's All-Star game. In his stead is Dylan Axelrod, the White Sox spot starter who has been up with the club since late June. In his last start on the fourth of July, Axelrod allowed four earned runs on seven hits in 5.2 innings to the Texas Rangers.
Toronto is countering with Brett Cecil, who is 2-1 on the season with a 5.64 ERA. If you wiped away Cecil's start on June 28 vs. the Los Angeles Angels in which he gave up eight earned runs in 5.1 innings, his stats would look much better than they do now. Of his four starts this season, two have qualified as quality starts.
Game time/date: Sunday, July 8, 1:10 p.m. CT
Location: U.S. Cellular Field, Chicago, Ill.
TV: WGN
For more news and updates from around the league, drop by Baseball Nation with Rob Neyer. And for a closer look at the numbers and analysis behind the game, visit the sabermetrics blog Beyond the Box Score or keep up to date with the league's transactions at MLB Daily Dish.
