Toronto @ Seattle preview

Last Meeting ( Aug 3, 2018 ) Toronto 7, Seattle 2

James Paxton tossed a no-hitter when he faced Toronto earlier this season and looks for another strong outing when the Seattle Mariners host the Blue Jays on Saturday for the third contest of their four-game series. The Canadian left-hander struck out seven and walked three while stifling the Blue Jays in the May 8 contest in Toronto.

A Seattle team that was outscored 14-5 while losing the first two games of the series could use another strong effort from Paxton, but the 29-year-old told reporters that the no-hitter means nothing when he steps on the mound Saturday. “I will definitely look at that game and how I am going to pitch to guys and how they approached me,” Paxton told reporters. "But it will be a different game. Your stuff is always different." The Mariners are just 7-15 over their last 22 games and Toronto is taking advantage of the struggling club as it registered 11 hits - two homers - in each of the first two contests. Toronto's Randal Grichuk recorded a season-high four hits on Friday and is 8-for-19 with four doubles over his last four games.

TV: 10:10 p.m. ET, Sportsnet (Toronto), ROOT Northwest (Seattle)

PITCHING MATCHUP: Blue Jays RH Marco Estrada (4-8, 4.90 ERA) vs. Mariners LH James Paxton (9-4, 3.49)

Estrada lost to Oakland in his last turn as he gave up four runs and five hits over four innings. The start was the first in 27 days for the 35-year-old Mexican after he suffered a gluteus strain in the first inning against the New York Mets on July 3. Estrada is 2-3 with a 3.90 ERA in five career starts against the Mariners and has struggled versus Nelson Cruz (6-for-13, two homers).

Paxton returned from a back injury to defeat Houston in his last outing by scattering three hits over seven scoreless innings. He lost his previous two starts, including a setback against the Los Angeles Angels on July 12 in which he retired just two batters before exiting due to lower back soreness. Paxton is 3-2 with a 4.71 ERA in five career turns against the Blue Jays.

WALK-OFFS

1. Mariners 2B Dee Gordon (ankle) was in Friday's lineup after departing the series opener and went 0-for-4.

2. Toronto activated CF Kevin Pillar (collarbone), who went 0-for-3 on Friday, from the 10-day disabled list and optioned RHP Brandon Cumpton to Triple-A Buffalo.

3. Seattle placed Juan Nicasio (knee) on the 10-day DL and recalled fellow RHP Chasen Bradford from Triple-A Tacoma.

PREDICTION: Mariners 4, Blue Jays 3