Baltimore @ Toronto preview

Last Meeting ( Aug 21, 2018 ) Baltimore 2, Toronto 8

Teams have taken turns beating up on the Baltimore Orioles this season, but the Toronto Blue Jays have taken it to another level against their American League East rivals. The Blue Jays have won nine in a row against the Orioles and vie for their third consecutive series sweep of Baltimore in Wednesday afternoon's finale of a three-game set at Rogers Centre.

Toronto has outscored the Orioles 57-28 during the nine-game run -- all at home -- and has won 11 of 12 meetings overall this season. Red-hot Kendrys Morales homered for the third straight day as part of a three-hit game and Billy McKinney hit his first career blast to go with three RBIs as the Blue Jays went deep four times in Tuesday's 8-2 romp. Toronto has scored at least four runs in each of the last nine wins over Baltimore, which had dropped three in a row and 10 of its past 12 games. Rookie outfielder Cedric Mullins hit a solo homer in Tuesday's loss and is batting .333 in his first 11 career games.

TV: 12:37 p.m. ET, MASN (Baltimore), Sportsnet (Toronto)

PITCHING MATCHUP: Orioles RH David Hess (2-7, 5.95 ERA) vs. Blue Jays LH Thomas Pannone (0-0, 4.15)

Hess' winless drought is closing in on three months despite a quality start last time out, when he limited Cleveland to two runs on five hits over six innings in a 2-1 setback. The 25-year-old is 0-6 in his last 11 appearances, which included a no-decision at Toronto on June 7 in which he pitched six innings of one-run ball. Hess has surrendered 10 homers in 43 innings away from home.

Pannone will make his first major-league start and fifth career appearance after pitching in relief four times since Aug. 10, including 1 1/3 hitless innings at the New York Yankees on Sunday. The 24-year-old Rhode Island native made six starts at Triple-A Buffalo, compiling an 0-3 record and a 4.91 ERA. Pannone struck out 40 and walked seven in 36 2/3 innings, but also allowed eight home runs.

WALK-OFFS

1. Baltimore 1B/OF Chris Davis struck out in all four plate appearances Tuesday and has whiffed in 31 of 62 at-bats in August.

2. Morales is 11-for-19 with four homers and nine RBIs during a six-game hitting streak.

3. The Orioles placed DH Mark Trumbo (knee) on the 10-day disabled list Tuesday.

PREDICTION: Blue Jays 7, Orioles 5