Toronto @ Chicago preview

Last Meeting ( Jul 27, 2018 ) Toronto 10, Chi. White Sox 5

Rookie Lourdes Gurriel Jr. seeks his team-record 10th consecutive multi-hit performance when the Toronto Blue Jays visit the Chicago White Sox on Saturday for the middle contest of their three-game set. Gurriel tied the franchise mark of nine set in 1986 by Tony Fernandez when he went 3-for-5 with two solo homers and a double in the series-opening 10-5 thrashing of the White Sox.

The 24-year-old Gurriel is a scorching 20-for-40 with three homers and three doubles during his nine-game hitting streak while raising his batting average 82 points to .308. Curtis Granderson, Randal Grichuk and Kendrys Morales also went deep in the opener as Toronto halted its three-game slide. The White Sox have allowed 33 runs while losing three straight as they slipped back to 31 games below .500. All-Star Jose Abreu recorded a run-scoring single in the opener and is 9-for-24 with three homers and seven RBIs during his six-game hitting streak.

TV: 7:10 p.m. ET, Sportsnet (Toronto), WGN (Chicago)

PITCHING MATCHUP: Blue Jays RH John Axford (4-1, 4.69 ERA) vs. White Sox RH Lucas Giolito (7-8, 6.09)

Toronto is making the contest a "bullpen game" as it remains short in the rotation after trading J.A. Happ to the New York Yankees. The 35-year-old Axford is making his first major-league start after 537 career relief appearances and first at any level since 2008 while in Single-A. "I’m excited. I feel like I’ve been talking about it for the last few years, mostly in a joking manner," Axford told reporters. "But with the way the game has been changing and seeing some (spots open up), I’ve definitely been in the (coaching staff's) ears a lot more about it, so they’ve been hearing it from me."

Giolito defeated Kansas City and the Los Angeles Angels in his last two starts, allowing seven hits over 12 1/3 innings. The 24-year-old's effort against the Royals was encouraging because the strong outing (two hits over 6 1/3 scoreless innings) occurred at Guaranteed Rate Field, where he is just 3-4 with a 7.53 ERA in 10 starts this season. Giolito, who never has faced Toronto, is 2-1 with a 4.38 ERA in July, with the latter representing his best monthly mark of the campaign.

WALK-OFFS

1. Granderson's homer on Friday led off the game, marking the 47th time he has accomplished the feat in his career.

2. Chicago recalled Thyago Vieira and purchased the contract of Tyler Danish from Triple-A Charlotte while designating fellow RHP Chris Volstad for assignment.

3. Toronto 1B Justin Smoak recorded two hits in the series opener and is 8-for-19 over his last four games.

PREDICTION: Blue Jays 10, White Sox 7