Baltimore @ Toronto preview
Rogers Centre
Last Meeting ( Sep 14, 2013 ) Baltimore 3, Toronto 4
With four losses in five games, the Baltimore Orioles aren't putting their best foot forward as they limp toward the second wild card in the American League. The Orioles look to turn their fortunes around on Sunday when they play the rubber match of their three-game series against the host Toronto Blue Jays. Colby Rasmus went deep for the second time in as many days by belting a go-ahead two-run homer in the seventh inning as the Blue Jays snapped a four-game losing skid with a 4-3 triumph on Saturday.
The setback sent the Orioles 3 1/2 games behind Tampa Bay for the final postseason spot. Chris Davis continues to torch Toronto, belting his 50th homer in Friday's 5-3 victory before notching his 41st double of the season on Saturday. Davis owns a 12-game hitting streak versus the Blue Jays while collecting at least one RBI in six consecutive contests.
TV: 1:07 p.m. ET, MASN2 (Baltimore), RSN (Toronto)
PITCHING MATCHUP: Orioles RH Miguel Gonzalez (9-7, 4.00 ERA) vs. Blue Jays LH Mark Buehrle (11-8, 4.18)
Gonzalez allowed two homers among his three runs and six hits over six innings, but walked away with a no-decision versus the New York Yankees on Tuesday. The 29-year-old Mexican has struggled away from home, posting a 3-5 mark while issuing 27 walks in 77 1/3 innings. Gonzalez has split a pair of contests versus Toronto this season and owns a 2-2 mark in his career.
Buehrle suffered his first loss since July 20 in horrific fashion on Tuesday, permitting eight runs on 12 hits in four innings in a setback to the Los Angeles Angels. The 34-year-old surrendered three homers - more than he had allowed in his previous six starts combined. Buehrle fell to 7-6 in his career versus Baltimore after getting blitzed for eight runs on nine hits in six innings in a loss on July 12.
WALK-OFFS
1. Davis played a role in Buehrle's troubles when the two last met. The slugger went deep among his two hits while he was in the midst of homering in four straight games.
2. Rasmus' blast allowed Toronto to become the first team in the majors to have five players reach the 20-homer plateau.
3. Baltimore is just 16-28 in one-run games this season - a stark contrast to its 29-9 mark in 2012.
PREDICTION: Orioles 5, Blue Jays 2