Baltimore @ Toronto preview

Last Meeting ( Sep 13, 2013 ) Baltimore 5, Toronto 3

With nine of their final 15 regular-season games being played away from Baltimore, the Orioles are in tough to snag one of the American League's two wild-card spots. They'll have the right guy on the mound Saturday afternoon, as Chris Tillman looks to continue his road success in the second contest of a three-game series against the Toronto Blue Jays. The Orioles kicked off a pivotal 10-game road trip Friday night with a come-from-behind 5-3 victory.

Tillman has emerged as the Orioles' ace this season, thanks to an impressive showing away from Camden Yards. The 25-year-old is 8-2 with a 3.18 ERA in 13 road starts this season, though he's coming off a loss to the Cleveland Indians in his previous outing away from home. He'll be opposed Saturday by Esmil Rogers, who has been sensational in back-to-back starts as he continues his audition for a role in the 2014 Blue Jays' starting rotation.

TV: 4:05 p.m. ET, MASN2 (Baltimore), RSN (Toronto)

PITCHING MATCHUP: Orioles RH Chris Tillman (16-5, 3.66 ERA) vs. Blue Jays RH Esmil Rogers (5-7, 4.46)

Tillman aided the Baltimore playoff push in his last outing, limiting the New York Yankees to two runs on four hits over seven innings while matching a career high with nine strikeouts. "I was able to get in sync and kind of felt my way through the first couple innings," Tillman said following the 4-2 victory. Tillman is 3-2 with a 4.13 ERA in eight career starts against Toronto, including a six-inning victory in their last encounter July 12.

Rogers has remained a staple of the Toronto rotation despite former big-league starters Ricky Romero and Kyle Drabek joining the club as September call-ups. The 28-year-old Dominican has rewarded the Blue Jays' faith in him by throwing consecutive gems against Arizona and Minnesota, allowing just four hits over 13 scoreless innings in that span. Rogers is 1-0 with a 1.69 ERA in seven relief appearances against Baltimore.

WALK-OFFS

1. The season series is tied at seven wins apiece.

2. Orioles 1B Chris Davis tied the franchise record with his 50th home run of the season in Friday's victory.

3. Blue Jays OF Colby Rasmus, who homered Friday, is 5-for-11 lifetime against Tillman.

PREDICTION: Orioles 5, Blue Jays 2