MLB series preview: Toronto Blue Jays at Chicago White Sox

GUARANTEED RATE FIELD

TV: Sportsnet/Sportsnet One

RADIO: Sportsnet 590 The FAN

PROBABLE PITCHERS

Thursday, 8 p.m.

RH Marcus Stroman (1-6, 3.12) vs. RH Dylan Covey (0-2, 5.91)

Friday, 8 p.m.

RH Aaron Sanchez (3-4, 3.75) vs. RH Ivan Nova (2-3, 6.29)

Saturday, 2 p.m.

TBD vs. RH Lucas Giolito (2-3, 6.29)

Sunday, 2 p.m.

RH Trent Thornton (1-4, 4.81) vs. RH Reynaldo Lopez (3-4, 5.58)

KEY PLAYERS

Guerrero Jr./Anderson

Blue Jay Vlad Guerrero Jr. broke out with two home runs against the Giants on Tuesday, and had six hits in a stretch of 10 at-bats before going 0-for-3 in Wednesday’s loss in San Francisco … White Sox shortstop Tim Anderson hit two home runs in a three-game series against the Jays at the Rogers Centre last weekend and is batting .320 with eight homers, 24 RBIs and 13 steals for the season.

NEED TO KNOW

The Jays optioned left-hander Thomas Pannone to Triple-A Buffalo on Wednesday to make room for starter Edwin Jackson on the 25-man roster. Righty Matt Shoemaker (ACL tear) was moved to the 60-day injured list … The Jays had hoped lefty Clayton Richard (right knee) would be ready to fill a hole in the rotation on Saturday, but they might go with a bullpen game for the second time in a week … Outfielder Eloy Jimenez (ankle), the White Sox’s top prospect, started a Triple-A rehab assignment on Monday and could be back in the big leagues by the end of this series … The Jays claimed 27-year-old right-hander Jimmy Cordero off waivers from the Washington Nationals and optioned him to Triple-A Buffalo.

ON DECK

Home to the Boston Red Sox for four games, starting Monday.

Laura Armstrong is a sports reporter based in Toronto. Follow her on Twitter: @lauraarmy