Baltimore @ Toronto preview

Last Meeting ( Jul 20, 2018 ) Baltimore 7, Toronto 8

The Toronto Blue Jays opened their second half with a dramatic win and will try to build upon the triumph when they continue a three-game series with the visiting Baltimore Orioles on Saturday. Aledmys Diaz's RBI single - his fourth hit of the game - in the bottom of the 10th inning lifted the Blue Jays to an 8-7 win in the series opener.

Toronto hit three of the game's seven home runs, including one by Diaz that opened the scoring in the third. The Blue Jays, who improved to 9-4 in extra-inning affairs, are 5-0 at home against the Orioles this year and 7-1 in the season series. Baltimore managed 10 hits - six for extra bases - in its first game since trading away All-Star shortstop Manny Machado to the Los Angeles Dodgers during the All-Star break. Jonathan Schoop had one of their four home runs and is batting .355 in 16 games this month.

TV: 1:07 p.m. ET, MASN (Baltimore), Sportsnet (Toronto)

PITCHING MATCHUP: Orioles RH Alex Cobb (2-12, 6.41 ERA) vs. Blue Jays RH Marcus Stroman (2-7, 5.86)

Cobb has quality starts in five of his last nine outings to slowly turn around a dismal start, including 6 1/3 innings of two-run ball in a loss at Texas prior to the break. He did not walk a batter in that game for the first time since May 12. Cobb was rocked for season highs of nine runs and 11 hits over 3 2/3 innings at Toronto on June 10 and has a 7.06 ERA in four career starts at Rogers Centre.

Stroman gave up three earned runs in five innings of a loss at Fenway Park in Boston prior to the break and expressed frustration with his team in the clubhouse following the game. The Duke University product is 2-2 with a 3.45 ERA in five starts since returning from shoulder fatigue. Mark Trumbo is 7-for-17 in his career against Stroman, who owns a 3.83 ERA in 10 career matchups with the Orioles.

WALK-OFFS

1. Toronto C Russell Martin is 5-for-12 with a home run over his last three games to raise his average to .184.

2. Baltimore reinstated RHP Chris Tillman from the 10-day disabled list and designated him for assignment.

3. Blue Jays RHP Tyler Clippard has given up four runs in 1 2/3 innings over his last two outings after blowing a three-run lead in the ninth Friday night.

PREDICTION: Blue Jays 6, Orioles 4