Blue Jays face White Sox as playoff race intensifies

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Jun 7, 2015; Chicago, IL, USA; Chicago White Sox starting pitcher Jeff Samardzija (29) delivers a pitch during the second inning against the Detroit Tigers at U.S Cellular Field. Mandatory Credit: Dennis Wierzbicki-USA TODAY Sports

Game 4: Thursday, July 9th   –   2:10 ET

R.A. Dickey vs. Jeff Samardzija

Dickey takes the hill for the Thursday matinee, and much like Hutchison, he’s looking for any kind of groove he can find. The aging knuckler has seen his record fall to 3-9 with a 5.02 ERA after three straight losses.

Movement has not been an issue for Dickey’s go-to pitch, and as much as he’d like to place the blame on umpiring, it’s been his control that is lacking. Dickey has walked three or more batters in four of his last six starts, which is not a formula for success. Thankfully, he has still been able to work five or more innings and save the bullpen, but the Blue Jays desperately need to see a sign of life here.

Jeff Samardzija will showcase his talents for Alex Anthopoulos on Thursday and is coming off one of his stronger starts in 2015. The Shark tossed 7.1 innings of one-run ball on three hits against the Baltimore Orioles, striking out nine. His 2014 performance shows that he’s perfectly capable of taking over ball games, so Toronto will need to bring their bats on getaway day. Samardzija will hit 95 MPH with his fastball and pounds a quality cutter.

Next: Blue Jays trade targets: Mat Latos an option?

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