MLB opens second half with White Sox‑Blue Jays game, Red Sox doubleheader, Twins‑Cubs series
On July 17 the Chicago White Sox (50‑45) travel to Toronto to face the Blue Jays (45‑51) at Rogers Centre. The White Sox are slated to start Anthony Kay (6‑4, 4.33 ERA) while Spencer Miles (4‑1, 2.85 ERA) is expected to pitch for Toronto. The matchup follows Chicago’s three‑game winning streak and the Blue Jays’ recent two‑loss skid.
The Boston Red Sox host the Tampa Bay Rays in a day‑night doubleheader at Fenway Park, also on July 17. Game 1 begins at 1:35 p.m. Eastern and the nightcap at 7:10 p.m., after a rain‑out forced the original May 9 contest to be rescheduled. Griffin Jax is slated to start for Tampa Bay, with rookie left‑hander Jake Bennett on the mound for Boston.
Meanwhile, the Minnesota Twins open their post‑All‑Star schedule with a series against the Chicago Cubs at Wrigley Field. The Twins entered the break at 48‑49, three games behind in the AL Central, while the Cubs sit atop the NL Wild Card race at 54‑42. The Twins start the series without outfielder Byron Buxton, who is on the 10‑day injured list with a hip strain, heightening the importance of contributions from Josh Bell, Ryan Jeffers and others.
These three games mark the start of MLB’s second half, featuring key pitching matchups and the resumption of play after the All‑Star break.