Chicago @ Toronto preview

Last Meeting ( Aug 14, 2012 ) Chi. White Sox 3, Toronto 2

Gavin Floyd has had trouble solving the Toronto Blue Jays. Ricky Romero hasn't been able to beat anyone. Two starters in difficult spots do battle Wednesday night as the Chicago White Sox and Toronto Blue Jays resume their four-game series at the Rogers Centre. The teams are even at a win apiece; Toronto opened the series with a 3-2 victory while the White Sox returned the favor a night later. The win kept Chicago two games up on Detroit atop the American League Central.

Great efforts from starting pitchers has been the story of the series to date. The four starters have combined to allow just seven runs over 28 2/3 innings so far. Even more impressively, they have issued just five walks in that span. Runs may be easier to come by Wednesday night, with both starting pitchers performing below expectations. Floyd is winless in his last three starts while Romero is entrenched in the worst stretch of his career, having gone 0-8 in his previous nine outings.

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

PITCHING MATCHUP: White Sox RH Gavin Floyd (8-9, 4.43 ERA) vs. Blue Jays LH Ricky Romero (8-9, 5.32)

Floyd has scuffled since recording three scoreless starts in a four-start stretch prior to the All-Star break. The 29-year-old right-hander is coming off back-to-back no-decisions against Oakland and the Los Angeles Angels in which he surrendered eight runs in just 12 1/3 innings. Normally one of Chicago's best control pitchers, Floyd has been plagued by wildness of late, walking 24 batters over his last six outings. He defeated Toronto in their last meeting July 7, but that's his only win against them in eight career performances (six starts).

Few pitchers have been as adversely affected by Toronto's rash of injuries as Romero. The veteran southpaw has limited teams to two runs or fewer four times during his past seven starts, but has nary a win to show for it. He was the hard-luck loser last time out, limiting the New York Yankees to three runs on just four hits over seven effective innings. His winless stretch includes a loss to Floyd in their July 7 encounter. He has otherwise fared well against the White Sox, going 3-1 with a 3.51 ERA in five career starts.

WALK-OFFS

1. Chicago hasn't won consecutive games in Toronto since Aug. 4-5, 2006.

2. White Sox C A.J. Pierzynski brings a 15-game hitting streak into Wednesday's tilt. He's 2-for-7 with a home run in his career against Romero.

3. Toronto has 13 players on the disabled list, including slugger Jose Bautista (wrist), DH/1B Adam Lind (back), C J.P. Arencibia (hand) and 3B Brett Lawrie (oblique).