Chicago @ Toronto preview

Last Meeting ( Aug 15, 2012 ) Chi. White Sox 9, Toronto 5

The Chicago White Sox are still waiting to see the Francisco Liriano of old. Liriano will look to deliver Chicago's first series win in Toronto in six years as the White Sox and Blue Jays tangle in the finale of a four-game series at the Rogers Centre. Liriano has three no-decisions in as many starts since the White Sox acquired him from Minnesota at the trade deadline. His first win in a Chicago uniform would provide the White Sox with their first series victory in Canada since August 2006.

Chicago has a two-game lead over Detroit in the American League Central race, and is hoping an effective Liriano will make the difference down the stretch. He'll be looking to build on the momentum provided by Gavin Floyd, who tossed six strong innings in Wednesday's 9-5 victory. Toronto is simply playing out the string at this point, and will send southpaw Aaron Laffey to the hill in Thursday's series finale. Laffey will make his 10th start of the season as the Blue Jays continue with a patchwork rotation.

TV: 7:07 p.m. ET, WCIU (Chicago), RSN (Toronto)

PITCHING MATCHUP: White Sox LH Francisco Liriano (3-10, 5.35 ERA) vs. Blue Jays LH Aaron Laffey (3-3, 4.72)

Gone are the days when Liriano tore opposing lineups to ribbons on a regular basis, but he remains sporadically effective. Following two decent starts against the Twins and Angels, the 28-year-old was torched for six runs over 3 1/3 rough innings against Oakland five days ago. Liriano has yet to beat the Blue Jays, going 0-3 with a 5.09 ERA in four appearances - three of them starts. He has also struggled on the road this season, winning just one of his nine starts away from home.

Laffey looked effective as a stopgap measure in the early going, but has been largely ineffective of late. The 27-year-old journeyman has been tagged for 20 runs in his last 21 1/3 innings of work, bumping his ERA up by nearly two full points. He lasted just 5 2/3 innings last time out, surrendering five runs on seven hits in a loss to the New York Yankees. Laffey has fared well against the White Sox in his career, posting a 3-4 record with a 3.20 ERA in 15 appearances (six starts).

WALK-OFFS

1. White Sox C A.J. Pierzynski is riding a 16-game hitting streak.

2. Toronto has 13 players on the disabled list.

3. Laffey recorded his first major-league victory against the White Sox on Aug. 9, 2007.