Toronto @ Baltimore preview
Oriole Park at Camden Yards
Last Meeting ( Aug 30, 2011 ) Toronto 5, Baltimore 6
THE STORY: The Toronto Blue Jays, who have lost five of six to drop below .500, continue their three-game series in Baltimore on Wednesday looking to re-assert their dominance over the Orioles. Toronto had won 23 of 30 over the Orioles until Tuesday's 6-5 loss in 10 innings. Toronto is stumbling in its bid to post a winning record for the fifth time in six years. Baltimore, meanwhile, is finally coming to life. The Orioles, who are an American League-worst 27 1/2 games out of first place, have won seven of nine.
TV: 7:05 p.m. ET, MASN2 (Baltimore), Rogers Sportsnet (Toronto)
PITCHING MATCHUP: Orioles LH Jo-Jo Reyes (7-10, 5.26 ERA) vs. Blue Jays RH Henderson Alvarez (0-2, 4.76).
Reyes will face his former team for the first time since being traded a month ago. He has won two of his last three starts, allowing one run over six innings in each of those victories. But batters are hitting .300 against him this season. Alvarez is a 21-year-old rookie making his fifth start. He already has allowed five homers, including three in his most recent outing, a 6-1 loss to the Rays.
ABOUT THE ORIOLES (54-79): Second baseman Ryan Adams, whose hit won the game Tuesday, has made nine straight starts since being recalled from Triple A Norfolk on Aug. 22. The 24-year-old has hit safely in eight of those nine games, going 11-for-33 (.333). Closer Kevin Gregg blew his sixth save out of 25 opportunities Tuesday. First baseman Chris Davis (shoulder) threw and swung off a tee Tuesday without experiencing pain. Infielder Cesar Izturis (groin) is expected to start a rehab assignment Friday, according to the Baltimore Sun.
ABOUT THE BLUE JAYS (67-68): Manager John Farrell, who is being treated for pneumonia in Toronto, is expected to miss this three-game series. Bench coach Don Wakamatsu is running the team in Farrell's absence. Right fielder Jose Bautista remains tied with the Yankees’ Curtis Granderson for the major league home run lead with 38. Bautista has 48 fewer plate appearances than Granderson. Reliever Jon Rauch, who underwent an appendectomy on Aug. 16, threw a 25-pitch simulated game Tuesday and could be activated Thursday.
FINAL PITCH: Baltimore’s Jeremy Guthrie has made 27 starts this season without winning consecutive decisions.