Toronto @ Arizona preview

Last Meeting ( Sep 3, 2013 ) Toronto 10, Arizona 4

The Toronto Blue Jays have been out of the playoff race for a while but are doing a fine job of playing spoiler. The Blue Jays attempt to put a huge dent in the host Arizona Diamondbacks’ postseason chances by finishing off a three-game sweep Wednesday. The Diamondbacks are trying to avoid a fourth straight setback and are 13 1/2 games behind the Los Angeles Dodgers in the National League West and eight back in the NL wild card race.

Toronto is 11 games below .500 but is 7-2 over its last nine games, with six of those victories coming against playoff hopefuls: the New York Yankees, Kansas City Royals and Arizona. The Blue Jays plan to play a big role in the American League East race with 15 of their last 16 games against division opponents fighting for postseason positioning. The Diamondbacks are running out of time to make their move and are staring at a seven-game road trip beginning Thursday.

TV: 3:40 p.m. ET, SNET (Toronto), FSN Arizona

PITCHING MATCHUP: Blue Jays LH Mark Buehrle (11-7, 3.92 ERA) vs. Diamondbacks RH Randall Delgado (4-5, 3.67)

Buehrle is 6-0 with a 1.93 ERA in his last eight starts and is coming off seven scoreless innings against the Royals last Friday. The veteran control artist’s ERA has dropped by nearly a run and he has gone at least seven innings five times in that stretch. Buehrle pitched at Arizona as a member of the Miami Marlins last season and allowed two runs in seven innings to pick up a win.

Delgado is winless in his last five turns despite three quality starts in that span. The 23-year-old held San Francisco to one run on three hits in seven innings last Friday but came up on the wrong end of a 1-0 shutout. Delgado is making his first career appearance against Toronto and is 1-3 with a 3.29 ERA at home this season.

WALK-OFFS

1. The Diamondbacks called up top prospect SS Chris Owings on Tuesday as a part of roster expansion.

2. Toronto DH Edwin Encarnacion started the first two games of the series at first base and is expected to be there again for the finale.

3. Arizona 1B Paul Goldschmidt is 0-for-12 in the last four games.

PREDICTION: Blue Jays 6, Diamondbacks 3