Rockies at Blue Jays
After a slow start to the season, the Toronto Blue Jays are riding the longest winning streak in the majors - and they'll have one of their hottest pitchers on the mound Wednesday as they look to keep the momentum going. Mark Buehrle looks for his third win in five decisions as the Blue Jays put their seven-game winning streak on the line in the series finale against the visiting Colorado Rockies. Buehrle has six quality starts over his previous seven outings.
Toronto's surge is its longest in more than five years - and comes at an ideal time as the Blue Jays look to forge their way into the American League race. Toronto earned an 8-3 victory Tuesday night and now sits 8 1/2 games behind division-leading Boston with 10 straight games against divisional opponents on the horizon. The Rockies, who have fallen 1 1/2 games back of Arizona in the National League West, counter with right-hander Juan Nicasio.
TV: 7:07 p.m. ET, ROOT (Colorado), RSN (Toronto)
PITCHING MATCHUP: Rockies RH Juan Nicasio (4-2, 4.86 ERA) vs. Blue Jays LH Mark Buehrle (3-4, 4.66)
Wins have been hard to come by for Nicasio, though he has pitched well enough of late to deserve a better fate. The 26-year-old Dominican has posted quality starts in two of his last three outings, but has settled for a pair of no-decisions. Nicasio wasn't as sharp last time out, surrendering five runs over 5 2/3 innings in a an 8-7 loss to the Philadelphia Phillies.
Buehrle has been one of the hottest Toronto pitchers over the last six weeks, looking more like the innings eater he has become later in his career. The soft-tossing southpaw was at his best in his previous outing, scattering four hits over seven shutout innings in a one-sided win over the Texas Rangers. Buehrle is 1-0 with a 3.68 ERA in 14 2/3 innings against Colorado.
WALK-OFFS
1. Colorado has lost all eight games it has played at Rogers Centre.
2. Toronto is 11-4 in June and boasts the second-best ERA in the majors over that span (2.06).
3. Colorado 2B Josh Rutledge is mired in a 3-for-34 slump, dropping his average to .223.
PREDICTION: Blue Jays 5, Rockies 3