Minnesota @ Toronto preview

Minnesota at Toronto

Last Meeting ( Oct 2, 2012 ) Minnesota 3, Toronto 4

The season will come to a merciful end for the Minnesota Twins as they wrap up the campaign by trying to avoid a three-game road sweep at the hands of the Toronto Blue Jays. Regardless of Wednesday's outcome, the Twins are assured of their second consecutive last-place finish in the American League Central. The Blue Jays guaranteed they will not finish in the AL East cellar with Tuesday's 4-3 win, but they need another win Wednesday to avoid a 90-loss campaign.

The Twins' most consistent starter all season, left-hander Scott Diamond will try to close out his season on a high note as he makes his first start in his native Canada. Diamond made his only career starts against Toronto back on May 13 and allowed five hits over seven scoreless innings. Toronto has won four of six meetings this season, claiming the season series from Minnesota for the seventh consecutive year.

TV: 7:07 p.m. ET, FS North (Minnesota), SN, TVA Sports (Toronto)

PITCHING MATCHUP: Twins LH Scott Diamond (12-8, 3.54 ERA) vs. Blue Jays RH Brandon Morrow (9-7, 3.09)

Diamond has put together consecutive quality starts - both against Detroit - after enduring a bit of a rough spot for the previous month. He didn't get a decision in his last outing but allowed just two runs (one earned) over 7 1/3 innings, matching his longest outing since a three-hit shutout against Cleveland on July 27.

Morrow has been boom or bust since returning from the disabled list Aug. 25. He was terrific his last time out, allowing just four hits over seven scoreless innings against the Yankees for his first win since Aug. 31. Morrow is 1-1 with a 6.10 ERA in seven games (one start) against the Twins, but he has not faced them this season.

WALK-OFFS

1. Blue Jays 2B Kelly Johnson has 159 strikeouts this season, tied with Jose Canseco (1998) for the most in franchise history.

2. Twins C/DH Joe Mauer entered the series in contention for the AL batting title but has gone 1-for-8 to drop his average to .320, 11 points behind Detroit's Miguel Cabrera.

3. Toronto INF Omar Vizquel is expected to start Wednesday in what will be his final regular-season game. The 45-year-old is retiring after 24 seasons in the majors. He is third among active players and tied for 40th all-time with 2,876 hits.