{"id":662728,"date":"2026-04-04T13:11:14","date_gmt":"2026-04-04T13:11:14","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.rawchili.com\/mlb\/662728\/"},"modified":"2026-04-04T13:11:14","modified_gmt":"2026-04-04T13:11:14","slug":"small-ball-white-sox-strive-for-repeat-win-against-concerned-blue-jays-field-level-media-professional-sports-content-solutions","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.rawchili.com\/mlb\/662728\/","title":{"rendered":"Small-ball White Sox strive for repeat win against concerned Blue Jays – Field Level Media – Professional sports content solutions"},"content":{"rendered":"

The Chicago White Sox hope going small will bring big results.<\/p>\n

The approach has given them a chance to clinch their three-game series with the visiting Toronto Blue Jays on Saturday afternoon. The White Sox used small ball as they defeated the Jays 5-4 in their home opener Friday afternoon after a 1-5 road trip. <\/p>\n

A double steal in the third inning set up Austin Hays\u2019 two-run single.<\/p>\n

In a two-run 10th for Chicago, Derek Hill\u2019s bunt single and an errant throw to first by Blue Jays catcher Tyler Heineman \u2014 who had just entered the game after Alejandro Kirk departed with a left-thumb injury \u2014 allowed him to reach second as the tying run. Tristan Peters won the game with a single to right.<\/p>\n

\u201cThat bunt was incredible,\u201d Peters said. \u201cJust to keep us in the game like that. And then I\u2019m just thinking, I know Derek is very fast, so a single scores him. I\u2019m just trying to make contact and get it on the grass in the outfield somewhere.\u201d<\/p>\n

Chicago manager Will Venable said the win was crucial.<\/p>\n

\u201cWe\u2019ve got to find any way we can, especially in the AL Central in April,\u201d he said. \u201cWe know there\u2019s going to be wind, weather. Slug is maybe not part of our offensive package, and we\u2019ve got to find any way we can.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cThat\u2019s just the way we kind of have to play the game,\u201d Hill said. \u201cWe\u2019re not like a huge slugging team like the Dodgers, where you have four guys that can hit 30 (homers). So we\u2019ve got to play that small ball, we\u2019ve got to play clean.\u201d<\/p>\n

For the Blue Jays, Kirk\u2019s situation is worrisome. He was to have X-rays after leaving the game in the 10th after taking a foul ball off his glove hand. The team did not announce the results overnight.<\/p>\n

\u201cIt\u2019s more the thumb,\u201d Blue Jays manager John Schneider said. \u201cIt hurts, especially on a cold day. We\u2019re hoping that it\u2019s nothing serious. He\u2019s about as tough as they come, so for him to come out, you don\u2019t love it. It was just all thumb, no wrist.\u201d<\/p>\n

Brandon Valenzuela, who is at Triple-A Buffalo, would get the call up if Toronto needs another catcher on Saturday.<\/p>\n

The Blue Jays opened the season by sweeping a three-game series against the Athletics. Toronto has dropped three of four since, including losing two of three to the Colorado Rockies. The game in Chicago was the Jays\u2019 first on the road this season.<\/p>\n

They have scored a total of five runs in their past two games \u2014 both 10-inning losses \u2014 as their offense has yet to click consistently. <\/p>\n

Former Blue Jays left-hander Anthony Kay (0-0, 3.86 ERA) is scheduled to be the bulk pitcher for the White Sox on Saturday. He has never faced his former team.<\/p>\n

He pitched for the Yokohama BayStars in the Japan Central League in 2025, going 9-6 with a 1.74 ERA in 24 games. <\/p>\n

In 28 games (seven starts) for Toronto from 2019-22, he posted a 4-2 record with a 5.48 ERA.<\/p>\n

Grant Taylor (0-0, 3.00), who pitched a perfect first inning on Friday as the opener for Sean Burke, is expected to open again on Saturday. Taylor threw only nine pitches on Friday.<\/p>\n

Toronto left-hander Eric Lauer will miss his scheduled start on Saturday because of illness and is scheduled to pitch Sunday instead. Toronto will go with an opener on Saturday, with left-handed reliever Mason Fluharty (0-0, 10.80 ERA) expected to lead a parade from the bullpen.<\/p>\n

Fluharty\u2019s one career outing against the White Sox came on June 20, 2025. He allowed three runs in one relief inning in a 7-1 loss.<\/p>\n

\u2013Field Level Media<\/p>\n

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