Toronto @ Chicago preview

Last Meeting ( Apr 4, 2018 ) Chi. White Sox 4, Toronto 3

The Toronto Blue Jays officially raised the white flag on the season Thursday, trading away their top starting pitcher and one of their best relievers. Fresh off absorbing a three-game sweep by the Minnesota Twins, the Blue Jays will try to pick up the pieces when they open a 10-game road trip with the first of three at the Chicago White Sox on Friday night.

Sitting nine games under .500, Toronto traded 10-game winner J.A. Happ to the New York Yankees and shipped right-hander reliever Seunghwan Oh to Colorado in separate deals that netted infielder Brandon Drury and three position prospects. One bright part of the Blue Jays' future is second baseman Lourdes Gurriel Jr., the first rookie in history with eight straight multiple-hit games. The White Sox had to settle for a four-game split against the Los Angeles Angels despite pounding out a season high-tying six home runs in the 12-8 loss in the series finale. Jose Abreu, who has hit safely in five straight games, went deep twice Thursday and finished 7-for-16 with three homers and six RBIs against Los Angeles.

TV: 8:10 p.m. ET, NBCS Chicago-Plus, Sportsnet, TVAS (Toronto)

PITCHING MATCHUP: Blue Jays RH Marcus Stroman (3-7, 5.42 ERA) vs. White Sox RH Reynaldo López (4-8, 4.13)

Stroman has made six starts since returning from a 6 1/2-week stint on the disabled list but still hasn't been able to win back-to-back outings. The 27-year-old continued a trend of pitching superbly in every other start by limiting Baltimore to one run and five hits over seven innings on Saturday. Abreu is 5-for-16 with a homer off Stroman, who owns a 1-3 record and 6.00 ERA in six career starts against the White Sox.

Lopez struggled with his control again in losing his third consecutive start last time out, giving up five runs on five hits and four walks over five innings at Seattle. He has pitched markedly better at home, posting a 3.17 ERA and .209 batting average against as opposed to 4.95 and .275 on the road. Lopez has made one career start against the Blue Jays, allowing one run over six innings in his 2018 season debut.

WALK-OFFS

1. Gurriel is 17-for-35 during the torrid eight-game stretch.

2. The White Sox traded closer Joakim Soria to Milwaukee for two pitching prospects.

3. Toronto claimed RH Oliver Drake off waivers from the Los Angeles Angels.

PREDICTION: White Sox 5, Blue Jays 4