Toronto @ Baltimore preview

Last Meeting ( Aug 4, 2019 ) Toronto 5, Baltimore 6

The Toronto Blue Jays won back-to-back home series last week for the first time in 2019 and look to build on that when they begin their final road trip of the season Tuesday night against the Baltimore Orioles. The Blue Jays took two of three from Boston to open the week before matching that against the American League East-leading New York Yankees, capped by a 6-4 victory on Sunday.

Randal Grichuk belted a pair of home runs in the latest win for Toronto to push his career-high and team-leading total to 28 while extending his hitting streak to eight contests (10-of-32, four homers, nine RBIs), and is 12-for-30 with four blasts versus Baltimore this season. Rookie right-hander Trent Thornton is expected to get the call for the Blue Jays (59-91) in the series opener and the Orioles, who lead the series 7-6 with six games left, did not immediately announce a starting pitcher Tuesday. Baltimore (49-101) holds a 3 1/2-game lead on major league-worst Detroit after leaving the bases loaded in the bottom of the ninth inning of Monday’s 5-2 loss to the Tigers. Trey Mancini homered in the setback, is 7-for-18 with three longballs over his last four contests and has gone deep five times while knocking in 15 runs in 13 games against Toronto this season.

TV: 7:05 p.m. ET, Sportsnet (Toronto), MASN2 (Baltimore)

PITCHING MATCHUP: Blue Jays RH Trent Thornton (5-9, 5.04 ERA) vs. TBD

Thornton came on after an “opener” last time out against Boston on Sept. 11 and pitched five hitless innings with seven strikeouts and one walk to earn the win. The 25-year-old North Carolina native has not given up more than three earned runs in his last six outings, but completed more than five innings just twice in that span. Chris Davis is 4-for-5 with a double versus Thornton, who is 2-1 with a 2.12 ERA in three starts against Baltimore this year.

The Orioles did not confirm the starter for Tuesday’s series opener, but right-hander Dylan Bundy (6-14, 4.99 ERA) could get the ball or be moved back one day. The 26-year-old Bundy is winless in his last three starts while allowing 13 runs (10 earned) over 17 2/3 innings and owns just one victory in his last nine trips to the mound. If Bundy does not start, Baltimore could go with a bullpen game and its relievers own a 2.91 ERA since Aug. 20.

WALK-OFFS

1. Baltimore INF Jonathan Villar is 5-for-17 during his current four-game hitting streak and is third in the AL with 35 steals.

2. Toronto’s rookie 3B Vladimir Guerrero Jr. is 19-for-39 with two homers and nine RBIs in 10 games versus Baltimore this year.

3. The Orioles designated LHP Ty Blach for assignment and claimed RHP Eric Hanhold on waivers from the New York Mets.

PREDICTION: Blue Jays 6, Orioles 4