New York @ Toronto preview

Last Meeting ( Aug 27, 2013 ) NY Yankees 7, Toronto 1

When the New York Yankees reacquired outfielder Alfonso Soriano from the Chicago Cubs last month, they couldn't have known he would duplicate his All-Star performances of the early-2000s. Soriano and the Yankees look to continue their playoff push Wednesday night as they conclude a three-game series against the host Toronto Blue Jays. The Yankees rode a pair of home runs from Soriano to a 7-1 victory over the Jays on Tuesday night.

Soriano has 11 home runs and 33 RBIs in 30 games since returning to the Bronx - his second homer Tuesday was the 400th of his career - and New York may need his hitting prowess more than ever. Second baseman Robinson Cano was hit in the hand by a pitch in the first inning Tuesday and, while he's considered day-to-day with a contusion, he may sit out Wednesday's series finale. The Yankees send Hiroki Kuroda to the hill against Toronto counterpart Todd Redmond.

TV: 7:07 p.m. ET, YES (New York), RSN (Toronto)

PITCHING MATCHUP: Yankees RH Hiroki Kuroda (11-9, 2.71 ERA) vs. Blue Jays RH Todd Redmond (1-2, 4.44)

Kuroda was one of the top pitchers in the American League in July but has fallen on hard times over his last two starts, surrendering 12 runs (10 earned) over 11 2/3 innings in consecutive losses to Boston and Tampa Bay. After going eight starts without allowing a homer, Kuroda was taken deep four times in six rough innings against the Rays. The 38-year-old native of Osaka, Japan is 4-1 with a 3.03 ERA in 38 2/3 career innings against the Blue Jays.

Redmond showed promise in his first few turns in the Toronto rotation, but wasn't fooling anyone in his last start. The 28-year-old was tagged for eight runs (seven earned) on eight hits in just 3 1/3 innings in a one-sided loss to Houston, a result that ballooned his ERA by more than a full point. Redmond has done his best work at the Rogers Centre, going 1-0 with a 2.16 ERA and 27 strikeouts in 25 home innings.

WALK-OFFS

1. New York has won 13 of the 15 meetings so far in 2013.

2. Blue Jays C J.P. Arencibia is 7-for-18 lifetime against Kuroda, but has also struck out seven times.

3. Toronto is 9-25 in its last 34 games against teams with winning records.

PREDICTION: Yankees 6, Blue Jays 3