Toronto @ Miami preview

Last Meeting ( Aug 31, 2018 ) Toronto 6, Miami 5

On the day they reportedly traded away a former MVP and a veteran outfielder, the Toronto Blue Jays also said goodbye to a miserable road losing streak. The Blue Jays will try to build upon their first win away from home since Aug. 15 when they take on the host Miami Marlins in the second of a three-game series Saturday night.

Hours after reports surfaced that third baseman Josh Donaldson - a linchpin on teams that reached back-to-back American League Championship Series in 2015 and 2016 - was traded by Toronto to Cleveland, the Blue Jays scored five runs in the ninth inning to steal a 6-5 win in the series opener Friday. Justin Smoak's pinch-hit grand slam was the big blow as Toronto - which also shipped Curtis Granderson to Milwaukee late Friday - snapped a seven-game road losing streak - its longest since 2014. Marco Estrada gets the nod Saturday for the Blue Jays as he opposes lefty Wei-Yin Chen, who is coming off his best start of the season. Miami's bullpen spoiled an outstanding start by Dan Straily on Friday and it has given up an alarming 19 earned runs in six innings over the last three games.

TV: 7:10 p.m. ET, Sportsnet (Toronto), FS Florida (Miami)

PITCHING MATCHUP: Blue Jays RH Marco Estrada (7-10, 5.18 ERA) vs. Marlins LH Wei-Yin Chen (5-9, 4.91)

Estrada has been dealing with back soreness but is expected to be ready as he attempts to bounce back from a rough outing. He gave up five runs and seven hits with four walks in just two innings of an 8-3 loss to Philadelphia on Sunday. The 35-year-old Mexico native has a 5.94 ERA in 10 career games (five starts) against the Marlins.

Chen scattered six hits and struck out a season-high 10 in six scoreless innings to defeat the Atlanta Braves last Saturday. He finished with a 1.54 ERA in four starts during August and a 1.51 mark over his last seven outings at home. Kendrys Morales is 6-for-15 with two doubles against Chen, who has a 5.40 ERA in four career starts against Toronto.

WALK-OFFS

1. Blue Jays OF Billy McKinney was 3-for-5 on Friday to improve to 15-for-38 since joining the team in a trade with the New York Yankees in mid-August.

2. Marlins OF/1B Derek Dietrich has hit safely in 10 of his last 11 games.

3. Toronto won six of the last seven meetings with Miami.

PREDICTION: Marlins 5, Blue Jays 4