Pittsburgh @ Toronto preview

Last Meeting ( Jun 28, 2011 ) Pittsburgh 7, Toronto 6

THE STORY: The Toronto Blue Jays have no problem finding the fences on offense - it is the pitching that tends to hold them back from time to time. The Pittsburgh Pirates continue to be one of the surprise teams of the majors and are enjoying a nice run through the mighty American League East. Now that they have pulled off a road win in interleague play, maybe a road series win is the next thing on the checklist. The Pirates will send Paul Maholm to the mound in search of that goal when the Pirates visit the Blue Jays again on Wednesday.

TV: 7:07 p.m. ET, Root Sports (Pittsburgh), RSN (Toronto)

PITCHING MATCHUP: Blue Jays RH Brandon Morrow (3-4, 4.90 ERA) vs. Pirates LH Paul Maholm (4-8, 3.21). Morrow has won once in his last seven starts, beating Cincinnati 10 days ago with 6 2/3 scoreless innings. He struck out nine at St. Louis last week but was victimized by a pair of home run balls in seven innings, eventually not factoring in the decision. Morrow has struck out 81 batters in 68 innings this season but has also walked 27. Maholm has allowed one or no runs in three of his last four starts and picked up a win against Boston over the weekend, holding the Red Sox to one run in 5 1/3 innings. The veteran lefthander has gotten very little run support this season, averaging 0.75 runs in his eight losses. Maholm beat Toronto in his lone previous start against them, allowing three runs in seven innings.

ABOUT THE BLUE JAYS (39-41): Toronto debuted Jose Bautista at his new-old position of third base Tuesday and were rewarded with his 24th home run, though it came in a 7-6 setback. One of the previous occupants of the hot corner, Edwin Encarnacion, added two homers to the attack while settling in at designated hitter and Corey Patterson made it four long balls as the Blue Jays continued their push toward the offensive powers of Boston and New York in the AL East. But while Toronto ranks in the top 10 in the majors in runs, it sits 24th in ERA at 4.09. That little problem came to the surface again in the series opener with the Pirates, when Jo-Jo Reyes was lit up for six runs in 3 2/3 innings.

ABOUT THE PIRATES (40-38): After shutting down the powerful Red Sox in taking two of three at home over the weekend, Pittsburgh went into Rogers Centre and ended the franchise’s 13-game interleague road losing streak. The Pirates have spent the past few seasons integrating young players into the lineup and Tuesday, it was Alex Presley’s turn. The rookie outfielder was called up to replace the injured Jose Tabata and immediately made an impact, hitting a two-run homer and driving in another run for his first major league RBIs. Former journeyman righthander Kevin Correia picked up his 10th win and Joel Hanrahan locked down his 23rd save in as many opportunities as two of the overachieving arms on the staff continue to impress.

FINAL PITCH: One of the young players the Blue Jays have been trying to work into the lineup is outfielder Travis Snider, who has been up and down the past few seasons. Toronto’s new plan is to try the slugger in center, where the offensive responsibilities are lower. Snider has played four games in center at Triple A Las Vegas, and will be back there when he returns from a mild concussion.