Toronto @ San Francisco preview

Last Meeting ( May 10, 2016 ) Toronto 4, San Francisco 0

Given their current offensive woes, the San Francisco Giants might need a shutout Wednesday from ace Madison Bumgarner to avoid a three-game sweep by the visiting Toronto Blue Jays. The Giants have scored a total of three runs in their last 40 innings covering four games, including Tuesday’s 4-0 loss.

The Giants hope to have left fielder Angel Pagan (hamstring) back in the lineup for Thursday’s series opener at Arizona, and his return can’t come soon enough for an offense that has gone 2-for-26 with runners in scoring position over the past four games. Catcher Buster Posey is 0-for-18 in his last five games, second baseman Joe Panik has one hit in his last 16 at-bats, and outfielder Gregor Blanco is mired in a 1-for-17 skid. Toronto shortstop Troy Tulowitzki was buried in a lengthy 5-for-44 slump entering Tuesday’s game before responding with a double and solo home run along with three RBI. Left fielder Michael Saunders raised his average to .308 with three hits for the Blue Jays, who have won six of their last eight to move one game over .500.

TV: 3:45 p.m. ET, Sportsnet (Toronto), CSN Bay Area (San Francisco)

PITCHING MATCHUP: Blue Jays RH Marcus Stroman (4-0, 3.60 ERA) vs. Giants LH Madison Bumgarner (4-2, 3.14)

Stroman received a no-decision last Friday despite holding the Dodgers to two runs with eight strikeouts over seven innings. The 25-year-old owns an impressive 36-to-13 strikeout-to-walk ratio this season and has won nine straight decisions dating back to Sept. 20, 2014. Stroman, who is making his first career appearance against San Francisco, will leave immediately after Wednesday’s game to receive his sociology degree from Duke University this weekend.

Bumgarner won his third straight start last Friday while striking out 10 batters and holding Colorado to four runs (three earned) over a season-high 7 1/3 innings. The 26-year-old has returned to form over his last three outings with a 2.25 ERA, 26 strikeouts and five walks over that span. Tulowitzki is 11-for-29 with two homers against the 2014 World Series MVP, who is 7-7 with a 3.90 ERA in 16 career starts against the American League but has never faced the Blue Jays.

WALK-OFFS

1. San Francisco is 14-7 in games started by Bumgarner, Johnny Cueto and Jeff Samardzija but 3-11 in games started by Matt Cain and Jake Peavy.

2. Toronto starting pitchers have recorded 13 consecutive quality starts.

3. San Francisco's bullpen has allowed four earned runs over its last 11 games while posting a 1.21 ERA over that stretch.

PREDICTION: Giants 5, Blue Jays 2