New York @ Toronto preview
Rogers Centre
Last Meeting ( Sep 27, 2012 ) NY Yankees 0, Toronto 6
The new wild-card format means there is plenty at stake for the New York Yankees as they continue a four-game road series against the Toronto Blue Jays and try to hang onto their slim American League East lead. The Yankees hand the ball to right-hander Hiroki Kuroda to protect their one-game lead over Baltimore. Though both teams are likely to make the postseason, the Yankees would much prefer to avoid the one-game wild card round. New York is also just two games behind Texas for the best record in the AL, which would give the Yankees home-field advantage through the AL Championship Series.
New York hopes Kuroda can recapture the dominance he showed when he tossed a seven-inning shutout in a rain-shortened game in his last meeting against the Blue Jays on July 18. Toronto's pitchers registered a shutout in the series opener on Thursday, as Brandon Morrow and two relievers held the Yankees to five hits. It was only the third loss in 12 games for the Yankees.
TV: 7:07 p.m. ET, YES, SN, TVA Sports
PITCHING MATCHUP: Yankees RH Hiroki Kuroda (14-11, 3.34 ERA) vs. Blue Jays RH Chad Jenkins (0-2, 4.24)
Kuroda has set a career high for wins, but he was unable to add to that total last time out. He allowed five runs (four earned) in 5 2/3 innings in a loss to Oakland. Kuroda is 1-1 with a 5.25 ERA in two starts against the Blue Jays, both this season.
Jenkins is set for his second major-league start after a solid outing on Sunday at Tampa Bay. He allowed one run on two hits over five innings but took the loss in a 3-0 shutout. Jenkins made one relief appearance against the Yankees this season, pitching a perfect inning.
WALK-OFFS
1. Toronto's Adeiny Hechavarria and Edwin Encarnacion are riding nine-game hitting streaks.
2. Yankees 3B/DH Alex Rodriguez is mired in a 1-for-16 slump.
3. Blue Jays C J.P. Arencibia, who hit his 18th home run Thursday, is 5-for-6 with a homer against Kuroda.