Toronto @ New York preview

Last Meeting ( Apr 27, 2013 ) Toronto 4, NY Yankees 5

R.A. Dickey saw his share of struggles the previous three seasons as a member of the New York Mets. Things were supposed to be different in Toronto; instead, they look all too familiar to Dickey as the National League Cy Young Award winner looks to help the struggling Blue Jays avoid a sweep Sunday afternoon at the hands of the host New York Yankees. Toronto has dropped nine of its last 12 games, including three straight close decisions at Yankee Stadium.

While Dickey takes a shot at reversing the Blue Jays' fortunes, New York counterpart Phil Hughes looks to maintain his team's recent hot streak. Hughes is still looking for his first victory of the season, but has pitched well over his last two turns. Sunday marks the last meeting between the American League East rivals until May 17-19, when the Yankees host the Blue Jays for a three-game set.

TV: 1:05 p.m. ET, RSN (Toronto), YES (New York)

PITCHING MATCHUP: Blue Jays RH R.A. Dickey (2-3, 4.66 ERA) vs. Yankees RH Phil Hughes (0-2, 5.14)

Dickey has endured neck and back pain for the last week, and it likely had an impact in his last outing. The 38-year-old knuckleballer surrendered four runs on six hits over six innings in a 4-3 loss to the Baltimore Orioles, while the five walks he gave up were more than he allowed in any start last season. Dickey is 3-1 with a 3.13 ERA in 10 career appearances against the Yankees, including four starts.

Seven different New York pitchers have registered at least one victory, and Hughes is a good bet to join that list if he continues his recent string of success. The 26-year-old earned back-to-back no-decisions against Arizona and Tampa Bay despite nearly identical solid lines - surrendering two runs on six hits over seven innings with six strikeouts in each. Hughes is 5-5 with a 5.03 ERA in 23 all-time meetings with Toronto, 16 of them starts.

WALK-OFFS

1. Ex-Blue Jays OF Vernon Wells has terrorized his former team in 2013, batting .440 with three home runs and six RBIs in six games.

2. Eight of Toronto's 11 runs in the series have scored via home run.

3. The Yankees placed RHP Ivan Nova (elbow) and C Francisco Cervelli (hand) on the 15-day DL Saturday. Both players were injured in Friday's win.

PREDICTION: Yankees 6, Blue Jays 2