Series Preview: Blue Jays vs. Orioles
The Baltimore Orioles head back home to Camden Yards to start a three game set against the Toronto Blue Jays. The Orioles are coming off a series win in New York, taking three of four from the Yankees. The Blue Jays are coming off back to back series victories against the Chicago White Sox and Texas Rangers. Let’s check out the pitching matchups:
Game One: J.A. Happ (1-1, 5.40 ERA) vs. Dylan Bundy (0-0, 0.69 ERA)
J.A. Happ will get the ball for the Blue Jays in the series opener Monday. Happ struggled in his latest start against the White Sox, lasting 5.1 innings while allowing four runs and surrendering two home runs. In all three of his starts against the Orioles in 2017, Happ took the loss while posting a 3.06 ERA in 17.2 innings pitched. Adam Jones, Chris Davis, and Manny Machado all have two home runs in their careers against Happ.
Dylan Bundy will take the mound for the Orioles Monday night in the series opener. Bundy pitched a fantastic game against the defending World Series champion Houston Astros on Wednesday, going six innings while allowing two runs (one earned) while striking out eight. In three career starts against the Blue Jays, Bundy pitched to a 2-0 record and a 0.95 ERA in 19 innings. Bundy has contained the Blue Jays lineup well, allowing only two runs total across seven appearances (three starts).
Game Two: Aaron Sanchez (0-1, 5.40 ERA) vs. Andrew Cashner (1-1, 4.09 ERA)
Aaron Sanchez will get the ball for the Blue Jays in the middle game of the series. Sanchez is coming off a quality start against the White Sox, in which he went six innings allowing three runs while striking out seven. In two starts against the Orioles in 2017, Sanchez was roughed up, allowing four home runs in 11.1 innings while posting a 6.35 ERA. Chris Davis has owned Sanchez, batting a hot .381 with four home runs and five RBI in 21 at-bats.
Andrew Cashner will take the mound for the Orioles in the middle game of the series. Cashner is coming off a fantastic start against the Yankees, going six innings allowing only one run while striking out five in a winning effort. Cashner pitched well against the Blue Jays in his only start against them in 2017, going seven innings while allowing one run. Josh Donaldson has hit well of Cashner in his six at-bats, posting a .333 average with a home run and two RBI.
Game Three: Marco Estrada (1-0, 2.77 ERA) vs. Kevin Gausman (0-1, 8.00 ERA)
Marco Estrada will toe the rubber in the series finale on Wednesday against the Orioles. Estrada is coming off a nice start against the Rangers, going six innings allowing one run while striking out seven in a win. In his five starts against the Orioles in 2017, Estrada went 3-0 with a 3.23 ERA in 30.2 innings. Chris Davis has hit three home runs and driven in seven runs against Estrada in 30 at-bats. Adam Jones and Jonathan Schoop both have two home runs off the 34-year old righty.
Kevin Gausman will take the ball for the Orioles in the series finale against the Blue Jays. Gausman went five innings allowing two runs while striking out three against the Yankees on Friday. In six starts against the Blue Jays in 2017, Gausman pitched to a 3-0 record with a 1.51 ERA in 35.2 innings. Josh Donaldson and Justin Smoak both have home runs off Gausman during their careers.
The Orioles look to keep the positive momentum going as they travel back home for three games. The Orioles took the season series against Toronto 12-7 in 2017.
