Toronto @ Seattle preview

Last Meeting ( May 5, 2013 ) Seattle 2, Toronto 10

The Toronto Blue Jays snatched an impressive comeback victory to avert a four-game sweep at the hands of the Los Angeles Angels and hope to ride the momentum when they open a three-game series against the host Seattle Mariners on Monday. Toronto was one out away from another loss on Sunday when Jose Bautista stroked the tying single and Edwin Encarnacion followed with the decisive hit. Seattle, which won the final two games of a set at Baltimore, is opening a six-game homestand.

Toronto trailed 5-2 after seven innings before rallying against the Angels to improve to 3-4 on its 10-game road trip. Rajai Davis had three hits and swiped three bags to raise his stolen base total to 34 and Bautista also recorded three hits. Seattle defeated Baltimore 3-2 on Sunday as veteran Henry Blanco hit a go-ahead two-run homer – his third in 17 games since joining the Mariners.

TV: 10:10 p.m. ET, RSN (Toronto), ROOT (Seattle)

PITCHING MATCHUP: Blue Jays RH R.A. Dickey (8-11, 4.66 ERA) vs. Mariners RH Hisashi Iwakuma (10-4, 2.76)

Dickey last won on July 1 and is 0-3 over his last five turns. He pitched well in a no-decision against Oakland in his last outing, allowing two unearned runs and six hits in six innings. Dickey lost to Seattle on May 4, when he gave up seven runs and six hits over six frames, and is 3-2 with a 5.72 ERA in 28 1/3 career innings against the Mariners.

Iwakuma is 3-0 over four outings since losing to Texas on July 4. He has allowed just five earned runs in 25 2/3 innings during the stretch. Iwakuma defeated Dickey back in May, when he gave up one run and five hits over seven frames, and is 2-0 with a 3.38 ERA in three career appearances (two starts) against the Blue Jays.

WALK-OFFS

1. Mariners manager Eric Wedge won’t be rejoining the team for the opener of the homestand after suffering a mild stroke two weeks ago. Wedge will not return until he is fully cleared by doctors, according to GM Jack Zduriencik.

2. Toronto OF Colby Rasmus is hitless in eight career at-bats against Iwakuma.

3. Seattle OF Raul Ibanez is batting .367 with three homers in 30 career at-bats versus Dickey.

PREDICTION: Mariners 6, Blue Jays 3