Series preview: Blue Jays at Chicago White Sox

U.S. CELLULAR FIELD June 24-26 Friday, 8 p.m. RH Aaron Sanchez (7-1, 3.35) vs. LH Carlos Rodon (2-6, 4.16) Saturday, 2 p.m. RH R.A. Dickey (4-8, 4.08) vs. RH Miguel Gonzalez (1-2, 4.29) Sunday, 2 p.m. RH Marcus Stroman (6-3, 5.23) vs. LH Chris Sale (12-2, 2.83) All games on Sportsnet and SN590 The Fan

Key players

Michael Saunders, Toronto: In this remarkable comeback season for the Jays’ understated left fielder, he has arguably been the team’s best overall hitter. He leads the team in batting average and slugging percentage, is third in homers and is tied for first in doubles. Heading into Wednesday’s games, Saunders led all American League hitters with a 1.188 on-baseplus-slugging (OPS) percentage in June. He has, however, struck out in more than 25 per cent of his plate appearances this season.

Todd Frazier, Chicago: The former Cincinnati Red is tied for the American League lead with 20 homers. Despite that prodigious power, he’s hitting just .200, which is the lowest mark of any third baseman. On Monday he snapped an 0-for-26 streak. He hit 10 homers in the first month of the season, but just 10 since then. The 30-year-old New Jersey native has six career homers against the Jays’ pitching staff.

Need to know: This is the second meeting this season between the Jays and White Sox, who swept Toronto at the Rogers Centre at the end of April . . . After a strong start, Chicago has fallen from first to fourth in the Central. And after Thursday’s loss to Boston, the White Sox have lost 27 of their last 40 games . . . The White Sox lineup features three former Blue Jays in Dioner Navarro,

Brett Lawrie and Melky Cabrera ... Jays right-hander Marcus Stroman has a 7.59 ERA in his last seven starts . . . The White Sox boast two potential Cy Young candidates in Jose Quinta

na and Chris Sale.

On deck: at Colorado, Monday to Wednesday. Brendan Kennedy