Toronto @ Detroit preview

Last Meeting ( Mar 15, 2013 ) Toronto 2, Detroit 4

The Detroit Tigers are looking for more consistency from their high-powered offense after scoring eight runs twice and two or less in three of the first six games. The Tigers have produced only three homers as they begin a three-game series against the visiting Toronto Blue Jays on Tuesday. Reigning American League MVP Miguel Cabrera has six RBIs, but only one extra-base hit. Prince Fielder has led the way for Detroit with a pair of homers and eight RBIs while free-agent acquisition Torii Hunter has five multi-hit games.

The Blue Jays must rebound from a 13-0 thumping against the Boston Red Sox on Sunday and could get a boost from the return of slugger Jose Bautista, who missed the last three games with a sore right ankle. Toronto was able to win just one game in each of its first two series at home and has surrendered 34 runs.

TV: 1:05 p.m., Sportsnet One (Toronto), Fox Sports Detroit.

PITCHING MATCHUP: Blue Jays RH Brandon Morrow (0-0, 1.50 ERA) vs. Tigers RH Anibal Sanchez (0-0, 0.00)

Morrow was solid in his first start, allowing six hits and one run over six innings with eight strikeouts before the Jays lost 3-2 in 11 innings to Cleveland. The right-hander is coming off his third straight double-figure victory season and a career-best 2.96 ERA. Morrow, who has 701 strikeouts in 654 career innings, is 1-1 with a 3.72 ERA against Detroit over 19 1/3 innings. Victor Martinez is 4-for-6 with four RBIs vs. Morrow.

Sanchez has allowed two runs or less in his last six starts overall, dating back to last year’s playoffs and regular season, and appears ready for a breakout season. The right-hander pitched five shutout innings in his first start at Minnesota, allowing only two hits and three walks while striking out five. Sanchez was 1-2 in his first three career outings against Toronto last year, with a 6.75 ERA over 16 innings.

WALK-OFFS

1. Detroit CF Austin Jackson has been on base 14 times in his first 29 at-bats, including five walks from the leadoff spot.

2. Toronto LF Melky Cabrera, who is 8-for-15 against Sanchez, is one short of 1,000 hits for his career.

3. The Tigers are one of three teams that have not committed an error.

PREDICTION: Tigers 5, Blue Jays 2