Toronto @ Baltimore preview

Last Meeting ( Sep 18, 2018 ) Toronto 6, Baltimore 4

Despite being closer to last place than first in the American League East, the Toronto Blue Jays had little trouble distancing themselves from the beleaguered Baltimore Orioles when the division rivals have tangled this season. The Blue Jays (69-82) vie for their 15th victory in the season series against the Orioles (43-108) on Wednesday when the clubs conclude their three-game set at Camden Yards in Baltimore.

Lourdes Gurriel Jr. had the go-ahead two-run single in the seventh inning as Toronto overcame an early four-run deficit and posted its fourth straight win with a 6-4 triumph on Tuesday. While the 24-year-old Gurriel is just 6-for-20 versus Baltimore this season, Kevin Pillar is a robust 20-for-49 with eight extra-base hits (four homers, four doubles), 10 RBIs and nine runs scored in the season series. "Sometimes you've got to take them on the chin and this one was like getting hit by (Mike) Tyson in '93. Yeah, Tyson at '93. That's what this season felt like," Baltimore outfielder Adam Jones told MASN after recording his second multi-hit performance in three games. The Orioles set a team record for losses in a season on Tuesday and reside three shy of the franchise record, set by the 1939 St. Louis Browns.

TV: 7:05 p.m. ET, Sportsnet, TVA (Toronto), MASN (Baltimore)

PITCHING MATCHUP: Blue Jays RH Marco Estrada (7-12, 5.75 ERA) vs. Orioles RH Jimmy Yacabonis (0-2, 7.22)

Estrada fell to 0-3 in his last four outings on Friday after getting blitzed for eight runs on six hits over 2 2/3 innings of an 11-0 setback at the New York Yankees. The 35-year-old is being moved up a day in the rotation after tossing just 55 pitches in that lopsided decision. Estrada improved to 9-2 in 18 career appearances versus Baltimore and 2-1 in three starts this season after permitting three runs over 5 1/3 innings of a 5-3 triumph on Aug. 20.

MASN reported that Yacabonis will draw the start after allowing four runs on as many hits over three innings in a no-decision versus the Chicago White Sox on Friday. The 26-year-old was taken deep twice in that contest and seven times total in his last six outings. Yacabonis has retired all seven batters he's faced against the current crop of Blue Jays.

WALK-OFFS

1. Toronto SS Aledmys Diaz is 6-for-12 with a homer, four RBIs and two runs scored over his last four games in which he recorded an at-bat.

2. Orioles DH Chris Davis is hitless in his last three contests and 1-for-28 with 13 strikeouts over his last eight games overall.

3. Blue Jays 1B Rowdy Tellez has two RBIs and two runs scored during a five-game hitting streak.

PREDICTION: Blue Jays 6, Orioles 1