Toronto @ Kansas City preview
Kauffman Stadium
Last Meeting ( Jul 20, 2010 ) Toronto 13, Kansas City 1
At this time a year ago, Zack Greinke was one of the few major leaguers with 10 wins to his credit.
Now, he's trying to avoid being one of the first to reach 10 losses.
Greinke looks to get back on track Wednesday night as he leads the Kansas City Royals into the rubber match of their three-game series against the visiting Toronto Blue Jays in matinee action at Kauffman Stadium.
The Royals opened the set with a come-from-behind 5-4 victory Monday before the Blue Jays answered with a resounding 13-1 drubbing of the home side a night later.
Kansas City will have its best pitcher on the mound in today's finale, though he has only started racking up the wins in the past month.
Greinke (5-9) was last year's American League Cy Young winner, posting a 16-8 record with a dazzling 2.16 ERA. A season later, he stumbled to a 1-8 start before reeling off four straight victories over a monthlong span beginning in mid-June.
Greinke came back down to earth in his previous outing, surrendering five runs on four hits while walking four over six innings in a 5-1 loss to the Oakland Athletics. It was his first defeat since June 8, but still moved him within one of becoming the third American League pitcher to join the 10-loss club.
The 2002 first-round pick has struggled in the past against Toronto, with a 2-4 career record and a 4.80 ERA over 10 appearances, including eight starts. He was brilliant the last time he faced the Blue Jays, allowing two runs on just two hits over seven innings while striking out eight. He settled for a no-decision in a game the Royals eventually won 4-3.
Greinke hasn't allowed a home run over his last four starts, but that streak is in jeopardy against a Blue Jays team that continues to rake. Toronto belted two more round-trippers in Tuesday's rout, bringing its season total to a major league-leading 143 and counting.
Jose Bautista continues to lead the Jays' offensive charge. He swatted his league-best 26th homer of the season in the first inning Tuesday and finished with five RBIs to give him a career-high 64 on the campaign. His previous high of 63 was established with the Pittsburgh Pirates in 2007.
Bautista's contribution helped make a winner out of Jesse Litsch, who earned his first major league victory in nearly two years. The right-hander went seven strong innings, allowing a run on eight hits without walking a batter.
Mark Rzepczynski (0-0) can only hope for a similar offensive explosion today.
The 24-year-old left-hander will be making his second start of the season. His first came two weeks ago against the Minnesota Twins, when he allowed four runs in 5 2/3 innings while striking out seven. He was given a no-decision as Toronto went on to win 6-5.
Rzepczynski has never faced the Royals.