Toronto @ Baltimore preview
Oriole Park at Camden Yards
Last Meeting ( Jul 12, 2013 ) Toronto 5, Baltimore 8
Jason Hammel has gone nearly seven weeks without a victory - and he can blame the home-run ball for most of his struggles. With two of the American League's most prolific sluggers in the Toronto lineup Saturday, Hammel could be in for a tough time as he leads the host Baltimore Orioles into the second of a three-game series with the Blue Jays. Baltimore capitalized on three home runs in Friday's series opener before holding on for an 8-5 victory.
Even with Hammel in one of the worst slumps of his career, Baltimore goes into the All-Star break as a contender in the formidable AL East. The Orioles have won three straight to remain within striking distance of division-leading Boston and second-place Tampa Bay. Toronto counters with Todd Redmond, who will make just his third major-league start and is coming off his first career win.
TV: 4:05 p.m. ET, RSN (Toronto), MASN (Baltimore)
PITCHING MATCHUP: Blue Jays RH Todd Redmond (1-1, 3.55 ERA) vs. Orioles RH Jason Hammel (7-5, 5.03)
Redmond was a pleasant surprise last time out, surrendering just one hit - Aaron Hicks' two-run homer in the fifth - as Toronto cruised to an 11-5 victory over the Minnesota Twins. A 39th-round pick of the Pittsburgh Pirates in 2004, Redmond has limited opponents to a .143 batting average through 12 2/3 innings with the Blue Jays. The 28-year-old may be making his final start for a bit, with Toronto expected to welcome back members of its injured starting staff after the break.
Hammel is 0-3 over his last seven starts, surrendering 10 home runs in that span. The 30-year-old allowed just nine homers in 118 innings all of last season. Toronto slugger Edwin Encarnacion - who leads the club with 24 homers - has two in 14 career at-bats against Hammel, while teammate Jose Bautista - a two-time major-league home-run champion - is just 2-for-14 with zero home runs against him.
WALK-OFFS
1. Toronto leads the season series 6-5.
2. Orioles 1B Chris Davis (35) needs two home runs to equal the AL record for most homers in the first half, set by Oakland's Reggie Jackson in 1969.
3. Hammel is is 4-1 with a 4.04 ERA in 55 2/3 career innings versus the Blue Jays.
PREDICTION: Orioles 7, Blue Jays 4