Baltimore @ Toronto preview

Last Meeting ( Apr 24, 2013 ) Toronto 6, Baltimore 5

The Baltimore Orioles have had one of the top minor-league systems in baseball for several seasons. The latest in a long line of top prospects makes his major-league Thursday as 22-year-old Kevin Gausman leads the Orioles into the opener of a four-game series against Brandon Morrow and the host Toronto Blue Jays. Gausman, the fourth pick in the 2012 draft, was recalled by Baltimore after an impressive showing at Double-A Bowie.

Gausman will be in tough against a Toronto lineup that has begun to flex its offensive muscle after struggling over the first quarter of the season. The Blue Jays are coming off a 4-3, 10-inning victory over Tampa Bay that gave them their first series win over the Rays in 15 tries. Jose Bautista was a one-man show in the series finale, going 4-for-4 with two home runs and the game-winning single. The Orioles have won two straight following a six-game slide.

TV: 7:07 p.m. ET, MASN (Baltimore), RSN (Toronto)

PITCHING MATCHUP: Orioles RH Kevin Gausman (NR) vs. Blue Jays RH Brandon Morrow (1-3, 5.16 ERA)

The Orioles were originally apprehensive about bringing Gausman up, but his performance at Bowie was impossible to ignore. The Louisiana State standout was 2-4, but posted a 3.11 ERA with 49 strikeouts and five walks over 46 1/3 innings. Orioles vice-president Dan Duquette raved about the hard-throwing right-hander. "He has the best stuff and the most consistent control of just about any pitcher that we have in the organization," he told reporters Wednesday.

Morrow's return from neck and back soreness didn't go well as he was tagged for five runs over five innings in a loss to the New York Yankees in his first start in nearly two weeks. The one positive: Morrow didn't walk a batter after issuing 11 free passes over his previous three starts. The 28-year-old settled for a no-decision in his last encounter with the Orioles on April 24, surrendering four runs - three earned - on three hits in 6 1/3 solid frames.

WALK-OFFS

1. Gausman will become the third member of the 2012 draft class to appear in a major-league game, joining Los Angles Dodgers LHP Paco Rodriguez (second round) and Los Angeles Angels LHP Michael Roth (ninth).

2. Morrow is 3-3 with a 4.05 ERA in 66 2/3 career innings against Baltimore.

3. Baltimore took two of three in their first encounter of the season April 22-24 at Camden Yards.

PREDICTION: Blue Jays 6, Orioles 5