Minnesota @ Toronto preview

Last Meeting ( Jul 5, 2013 ) Minnesota 0, Toronto 4

The American League Central remains up for grabs - but the Minnesota Twins are headed in the wrong direction. Minnesota hopes to halt a six-game losing skid Saturday afternoon as it continues its three-game series with the host Toronto Blue Jays. The Twins fell 11 games below .500 after dropping the opener, and could be in for a tough time against National League Cy Young Award winner R.A. Dickey.

Dickey is rounding into form after a dreadful start to the season, and looks to build off back-to-back sensational outings against the Tampa Bay Rays and Detroit Tigers. The Twins counter with fellow right-hander Mike Pelfrey, who has struggled in his first season with the Twins. The Blue Jays halted a three-game losing skid with Friday's 4-0 victory but are just 4-8 since reeling off a franchise record-tying 11 straight wins last month.

TV: 1:07 p.m. ET, FSNO (Minnesota), RSN (Toronto)

PITCHING MATCHUP: Twins RH Mike Pelfrey (3-6, 6.11 ERA) vs. Blue Jays RH R.A. Dickey (8-8, 4.59)

Pelfrey returns to the starting rotation after missing the previous two weeks with a strained back. The towering 29-year-old wasn't pitching all that well before the injury - his winless streak reached eight games with a no-decision against the Chicago White Sox last time out. Pelfrey, who will be making his first career start against the Blue Jays, is 1-3 with a 6.91 ERA in six road outings this season.

Dickey is finally looking like the ace the Blue Jays hoped he would be when they acquired him from the New York Mets over the winter. The veteran knuckleballer followed up a two-hit shutout against the Rays with seven innings of two-run, six-hit ball in a home win over the Tigers. Dickey is 1-1 with a 6.14 ERA in 22 career innings against the Twins, but hasn't faced them since Aug. 25, 2008.

WALK-OFFS

1. Blue Jays OF Melky Cabrera is a career 3-for-15 with two walks against Pelfrey.

2. Dickey is 5-4 with a 4.04 ERA in nine afternoon starts.

3. Minnesota has been outscored 38-22 during its losing skid.

PREDICTION: Blue Jays 7, Twins 2