The set-up: The Toronto Blue Jays haven't given up on making the the postseason just yet but they can't miss out on an opportunity to take the rubber match of their three-game series at Chicago this afternoon. Toronto already lost Monday's game 7-6 to the White Sox, before rebounding with last night's 8-4 victory. I believe the 50-57 Blue Jays are being overly optimistic about their postseason chances, as while they are just six games out of the final wild card spot, they would have to 'climb over' seven teams! Anyway, losing two of three to the sad-sack White Sox, who own the AL's worst record at 41-63, would hardly be a step in the right direction.

The pitching matchup: J.A. Happ (3-8 & 4.15 ERA) takes the mound for Toronto and Derek Holland (5-10 & 5.42 ERA) for Chicago. Happ's 20-4 season of 2016 has been long forgotten, as the veteran lefty will be trying to snap a four-start win-less streak (he's 0-3 and the team 0-4). He did turn in a quality start against the LA Angels on Friday, allowing three runs on five hits and four walks over six innings but took the loss in LA's 7-2 win. Happ earned a win over the White Sox on June 18, when he yielded three runs and struck out nine in 6 2/3 innings, which evens his career record against Chicago to 2-2 with a 3.96 ERA. Holland comes in win-less in his last seven starts (he's 0-4 and the team 0-7!) He owns just two quality starts in his last 10 outings (team is 1-9!) and enters today's game having failed to complete six innings in any of his last five outings. Making matters worse for Chicago is that Holland owns an 8.22 ERA in nine career starts against the Blue Jays (he's 3-4 and his teams 4-5).

The pick: I'm not ready to accept Toronto as a viable playoff contender but there is no reason for them to struggle against Holland (see above for all one needs to know) plus after all, the White Sox have lost 14 of 17 since the All Star break. Make Toronto a 6* play.