Toronto @ Baltimore preview

Last Meeting ( Jun 12, 2019 ) Toronto 8, Baltimore 6

The Toronto Blue Jays finally snapped out of a wretched offensive funk to halt a five-game losing streak overall and a string of seven straight setbacks away from home. The Blue Jays will vie for their first road series win since a three-game sweep in Oakland from April 19-21 when they play the rubber match of a three-game set at the Baltimore Orioles on Thursday night.

Toronto had scored a combined eight runs during its five-game slide but matched that total in Wednesday's 8-6 rout thanks to a grand slam by Rowdy Tellez that capped a six-run fifth inning. Fellow rookie Vladimir Guerrero Jr. had his fourth three-hit game of the season and Lourdes Gurriel Jr. drove in a pair of runs as the Blue Jays improved to 2-3 versus Baltimore this season. Trey Mancini homered and tripled in the loss for Baltimore, which is seeking its first series victory since taking two of three from the Chicago White Sox on April 22-24. Chance Sisco is 3-for-7 in the series after collecting two hits and driving in a pair of runs for the Orioles, who fell to 9-24 at Camden Yards.

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

PITCHING MATCHUP: Blue Jays RH Marcus Stroman (3-8, 3.31 ERA) vs. Orioles RH Gabriel Ynoa (0-2, 4.96)

Stroman looks to rebound from a clunker last time out versus Arizona, when he took the loss after giving up a season high-tying six runs on seven hits, including a pair of homers, over 5 2/3 innings. He also came out on the short end of a decision in his previous turn at Colorado, allowing four runs (three earned) in seven innings, and is 2-5 over his last eight outings. Stroman is 4-5 with a 3.52 ERA against the Orioles, who have a .350 batting average against him, led by Mancini (6-for-13) and Jonathan Villar (5-for-9).

Although he remains in search of his first win of the season, Ynoa has acquitted himself fairly well since he was inserted into the starting rotation in place of a struggling Dan Straily late last month. The 26-year-old Dominican had the best of his three starts last time out in Houston but had to settle for a no-decision after permitting three runs on three hits (two homers) over a season-high six innings. Ynoa, who has never faced Toronto, is 0-1 with a 4.24 ERA in seven appearances (two starts) at home this season.

WALK-OFFS

1. Toronto placed closer Ken Giles on the 10-day injured list due to right elbow inflammation.

2. Mancini is 7-for-19 with three homers and eight RBIs versus the Blue Jays this season.

3. Tellez is the first rookie in franchise history with two grand slams in a season.

PREDICTION: Orioles 5, Blue Jays 4