Toronto @ Kansas City preview

Last Meeting ( Aug 14, 2018 ) Toronto 6, Kansas City 5

Rookie catcher Danny Jansen is fitting right in with the Toronto Blue Jays, who continue a four-game series at the Kansas City Royals on Wednesday. Recalled prior to the series to make his debut in the majors, Jansen had a pair of hits in Monday's loss to the Royals and then homered for the first time to help the Blue Jays to a 6-5 win Tuesday night.

Kevin Pillar slugged a two-run shot in the eighth to put Toronto ahead as it improved to 4-1 in the season series. The Blue Jays' bullpen worked five innings of one-run ball - capped by Ken Giles' second save with the team - as the club improved to 7-53 in games where it trailed after the seventh inning. Adalberto Mondesi had four of Kansas City's 12 hits and stole three bases, giving him 15 thefts in just 38 games on the season. He and his teammates will get a crack at veteran Marco Estrada, who starts for Toronto on Wednesday opposite the struggling Burch Smith.

TV: 8:15 p.m. ET, TVA, Sportsnet (Toronto), FS Kansas City

PITCHING MATCHUP: Blue Jays RH Marco Estrada (5-9, 4.84 ERA) vs. Royals RH Burch Smith (1-4, 6.97)

Estrada has been inconsistent since coming off the disabled list late last month and followed up a gem two turns ago at Seattle with a rough showing at home versus Tampa Bay on Friday. The Rays got to him for five runs on five hits - two home runs - and two walks over 5 1/3 innings. The 35-year-old suffered the loss in his previous two career starts at Kauffman Stadium despite allowing five runs in 13 2/3 total innings.

Smith fell to 1-4 with a 9.67 ERA in six starts after he was rocked for five runs over 1 2/3 innings against St. Louis on Friday. He has an ERA of 13.50 in three starts since his last win July 24, and the University of Oklahoma product surrendered five home runs across 10 2/3 innings during that stretch. He worked 2 2/3 scoreless frames out of the bullpen at Toronto on April 17.

WALK--OFFS

1. Blue Jays 1B Justin Smoak had two hits Tuesday after going 0-for-12 over his previous four games.

2. Toronto acquired RHP Bryan Baker from Colorado to complete a July 26 trade.

3. Royals C Salvador Perez doubled in a run in Tuesday's loss after failing to produce an RBI in his previous nine contests.

PREDICTION: Blue Jays 7, Royals 4