Toronto @ Chicago preview

Last Meeting ( Apr 18, 2013 ) Chi. White Sox 1, Toronto 3

High aspirations, disappointing results. That's been the storyline for both the Toronto Blue Jays and Chicago White Sox, who will square off in a three-game series at Chicago's U.S. Cellular Field starting Monday night. Toronto was on the verge of sweeping the Texas Rangers but squandered a four-run lead in Sunday's three-game series finale. The Blue Jays have an American League-low 11 road victories and play their next seven games away from home.

Chicago had lost 10 of 11 to fall a season-worst nine games under .500 but battled back to win the final two games against Oakland to salvage a series split. Offense still remains a concern for the White Sox, who have put up more than four runs only twice in their last 18 games. Dylan Alexrod gets the start for Chicago against knuckleballer R.A. Dickey, who will look to pitch deep into the game to save a bullpen that was taxed in Saturday's 18-inning marathon.

TV: 8:10 p.m. ET, Rogers Sportsnet (Toronto), Comcast SportsNet-Plus Chicago

PITCHING MATCHUP: Blue Jays RH R.A. Dickey (5-7, 4.66 ERA) vs. White Sox RH Dylan Axelrod (3-4, 3.73)

Dickey finally gave the Blue Jays a glimpse of the pitcher they were expecting to see when they acquired the reigning NL Cy Young Award winner in the offseason. He permitted only two hits in a season-high 8 1/3 scoreless innings of a 4-0 victory at San Francisco his last time out. It was Dickey's best performance since he limited the White Sox to two hits over six scoreless frames on April 18.

Alexrod doesn't have many wins but he has been one of Chicago's most consistent starters, allowing three runs or fewer in 10 of his 12 turns, including five in a row. He allowed six hits in 5 1/3 scoreless innings his last time out against Seattle but did not factor in the decision. Alexrod won in Toronto in mid-April, yielding two runs in six innings, to improve to 1-1 lifetime vs. the Blue Jays.

WALK-OFFS

1. Toronto's Colby Rasmus is 4-for-6 with a pair of homers against Axelrod.

2. White Sox reliever Jesse Crain has not allowed a run in 24 innings spanning 25 appearances.

3. The Blue Jays managed only six runs in losing two of three to Chicago in April.

PREDICTION: Blue Jays 4, White Sox 2