Philadelphia @ Toronto preview

Last Meeting ( Aug 24, 2018 ) Philadelphia 2, Toronto 4

The Philadelphia Phillies have not won a game without ace Aaron Nola starting it since Aug. 16, a trend they will try to cease when they continue a three-game interleague series at the Toronto Blue Jays on Saturday. A day after Nola tossed eight scoreless innings in a triumph at Washington, the Phillies fell 4-2 in the series opener Friday night - their fifth loss in the last six games.

Cesar Hernandez had three hits and Scott Kingery ripped a solo homer but Philadelphia left nine men on base as it remained three games behind the first-place Atlanta Braves in the National League East. Kendrys Morales continued his torrid power surge with a solo shot for the Blue Jays - winners of four straight - to give him at least one home run in five straight games, tied for the second-longest such run in the majors this year. Nick Pivetta will try to become the first Phillies starter other than Nola to win since Zach Eflin on Aug. 16 when he gets the nod in the second game of the series. Aaron Sanchez will make his return to the mound for the Blue Jays after missing more than two months due a finger injury.

TV: 4:07 p.m. ET, NBCS Philadelphia, Sportsnet, TVA (Toronto)

PITCHING MATCHUP: Phillies RH Nick Pivetta (7-10, 4.66 ERA) vs. Blue Jays RH Aaron Sanchez (3-5, 4.52)

Pivetta opened August by allowing three runs over 18 innings over three starts, but he hit a wall at home against the New York Mets his last time out. The 25-year-old was rocked for six runs and a season high-tying eight hits across 3 2/3 innings while striking out five and walking one. He let up two runs over five innings in a loss to the Blue Jays at home earlier in the season but owns a 2.76 ERA in seven career interleague starts.

Sanchez has made just 23 starts over the last two seasons after opening 30 games in 2016. He is 4-1 with a sparkling 1.59 ERA in nine career games (five starts) against the NL, including one scoreless inning against the Phillies in 2015. The former first-round pick is winless in eight home starts this year.

WALK-OFFS

1. Blue Jays 2B Lourdes Gurriel Jr. (knee, ankle) returned from the 10-day disabled list Friday and had a single to extend his hitting streak to 12 games.

2. Philadelphia LHP Luis Avilan, acquired Wednesday in a trade with the Chicago White Sox, retired the only man he faced Friday in his team debut.

3. The Phillies are 1-3 against the Blue Jays and 10-4 against all other American League teams.

PREDICTION: Phillies 5, Blue Jays 4